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The  Potts  Family 


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Historical  CoUecStions 


REI.ATING  TO 


The  Potts  Familv 


Great  Britain  and  America 


WITH  A  HISTORIC-GENEAT.OGY  OF  THE  DESCENDANTS  OF 

David  Potts 

AN  EARLY  ANGI.O-WELSH  SETTI.ER  OF  PENNSYI,VANIA 
INCLUDING  CONTRIBUTIONS  BY  THE  LATE 

WILLIAM  JOHN  POTTS 

t,^^  C?^  5^**  i^^  %^^ 

COMPILED  BY 

THOMAS  MAXWELL  POTTS 

Author  of  The  Carter  Family,  Our  Family  Ancestors,  etc. 


CANONSBURG,  PA. 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  COMPILER 

1 901 


i\^^ 


Preface. 


During  more  than  half  a  century  past,  different  persons 
have,  from  time  to  time,  given  more  or  less  attention  to 
gathering  information  as  to  the  history  and  genealogy  of 
some  special  line  of  the  Potts  family,  and  in  some  instances 
these  collecftions  have  been  published  ;  but,  with  one  or  two 
exceptions,  they  have  occupied  but  a  few  pages  in  some 
larger  work  on  local  history.  The  present  work,  in  the 
main,  covers  original  and  broader  ground. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  i860,  the  writer  hereof,  hav- 
ing a  little  leisure  at  his  command,  began  the  colledlion  of 
some  family  records  and  information  as  to  ancestors.  For  a 
dozen  years  he  continued  to  gather  information  as  opportu- 
nity offered.  These  inquiries  were  for  the  most  part  con- 
fined to  immediate  kinsfolk,  and  memoranda  made  of  the 
statements  of  aged  members  of  the  family,  as  well  as  copy- 
ing family  records  whenever  available. 

In  1872  he  became  acquainted  with  the  late  William  John 
Potts,  of  Camden,  New  Jersey,  an  educated  and  cultured 
gentleman,  who  had  been  giving  the  subjecft  special  atten- 
tion for  some  years  previous.  From  that  time  until  his  last 
illness,  a  close  intimacy  and  an  extensive  correspondence  was 
maintained.  There  had  previously  been  much  confusion  as 
to  the  kinship  of  the  early  Potts  in  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  but  he  had  succeeded  in  unraveling  the  tangle  and 
making  a  clear  statement,  assigning  to  each  individual  his 
proper  family  or  correal  place  in  his  family.  He  continued 
to  accumulate  data  bearing  upon  these  familes,  as  well  as 

(v) 


vi  The  Potts  Family. 

material  relating  to  the  history  of  the  family  in  Great  Bri- 
tain. It  was  Mr.  Potts'  intention  to  prepare  for  publication 
articles  upon  certain  disputed  questions  concerning  the  true 
relationship  of  the  early  settlers  to  each  other,  but  was 
prevented  by  reason  of  failing  health.  The  present  writer 
gave  attention  to  colle(5ting  information  concerning  first 
settlers  of  the  name  in  America,  and  tracing  their  descend- 
ants as  far  as  possible. 

About  the  year  18S4,  the  proposition  of  publishing  a  vol- 
ume, to  be  compiled  from  these  joint  coUecft  ions,  was  sug- 
gested and  considered,  but  the  way  did  not  then  seem  clear 
and  the  projedl  was  allowed  to  rest  for  the  time  being. 
Since  that  time  the  accumulation  of  new  data  has  more 
than  doubled.  About  1892-4,  Mr.  Potts  prepared  and  com- 
municated to  the  writer,  a  coUedlion  of  data  relating  to  the 
Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain,  which  now  forms  Part  I  of 
this  book.  His  subsequent  illness  prevented  his  preparing 
further  copy  for  this  work.  He  had  however  during  the 
long  correspondence  communicated  much  concerning  his 
researches  bearing  upon  the  families  in  Pennsylvania  and 
New  Jersey.  This  information  has  to  a  greater  or  less  ex- 
tent been  incorporated  into  those  Chapters  which  treat  of 
these  families. 

After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Potts,  the  writer  took  up  the 
matter  of  publication  in  earnest,  and  since  then  has  devoted 
much  of  his  time  to  the  work.  The  primary  object  of  this 
publication  has  been  to  give  as  full  and  accurate  a  history 
of  the  first  settlers  of  the  name  in  this  country,  as  it  has 
been  possible  to  secure  from  reliable  sources.  The  data 
for  these  accounts  has  been  gathered  from  deeds,  wills, 
church  records,  ancient  documents,  memorial  inscription, 
and  similar  authentic  sources.  During  all  these  years  of 
colledling  material,  much  time  has  been  devoted  to  personal 
examination  of  public  records  in  many  localities;  sometimes 
long  distances  have  been  traveled  for  this  purpose,  and  in 


Preface.  vii 

numerous  instances  experts  have  been  employed  upon  the 
ground,  to  make  examinations  and  to  furnish  copies  or  ab- 
stracts of  important  records. 

In  addition  to  this,  an  extensive  correspondence  has  been 
carried  on  during  all  these  years,  covering  a  majority  of  the 
States  of  the  Union,  and  copies  of  family  and  Bible  records 
and  the  recolledlions  of  many  aged  persons  secured.  This 
wide  correspondence  has  brought  the  writer  in  contadl  with 
many  intelligent  and  cultured  people  and  has  been  a  source 
of  continued  profit  and  delight.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
so  many  of  these  writers,  who  were  so  deeply  interested  in 
this  work,  have  one  by  one  answered  the  last  call  that 
comes  to  all  men,  and  have  not  lived  to  see  its  completion. 
As  is  usual  in  such  cases,  scorces  of  letters  have  remained 
unanswered,  and  many  who  could  have  given  valuable  in- 
formation have  manifested  a  total  indifference. 

The  greatest  care  has  been  taken  in  compiling  the  data 
in  order  to  secure  accuracy,  but  in  a  work  of  this  kind, 
where  names  and  dates  occur  by  the  thousand,  it  is  not  un- 
likely that  errors  may  be  discovered.  Sometimes  the  man- 
uscript has  been  difficult  to  decipher,  and  in  other  cases  in- 
formation coming  from  different  sources  has  been  at  vari- 
ance, or  so  deficient  in  details  as  possibly  to  have  been  mis- 
construed. Since  the  body  of  the  book  was  printed,  some 
annoying  typographical  errors  have  been  noticed,  but  in 
most  cases  the  sense  intended  is  not  affedled. 

The  book  grew  to  nearly  double  the  size  at  first  estimated, 
and  for  this  reason  the  matter  has  been  condensed  as  much 
as  possible,  and  not  a  few  details  omitted  altogether.  Had 
it  have  been  possible  to  have  secured  a  complete  record  of 
all  descendants  of  the  families  or  branches  included  in  this 
volume,  it  would  possibly  have  been  again  doubled  in  size. 
The  compiler  is  fully  aware  of  the  imperfedtions  of  the  book, 
but  hopes  that  those  interested  in  preserving  some  records  of 
the  family  will  be  lenient  in  their  criticism.      It  is  the  com- 


viii  The  Potts  Family. 

piler's  intention  to  deposit  with  the  Pennsylvania  Historical 
Society  at  Philadelphia,  in  addition  to  a  copj'^  of  this  work, 
a  manuscript  that  will  contain  Indexes  to  Potts  deeds  and 
wills  at  different  places,  Lists  of  marriages  and  deaths, 
copies  of  papers,  and  memoranda  of  greater  or  less  value  to 
the  future  historian  of  the  family. 

The  compiler  is  indebted  to  scores  of  persons  for  valuable 
aid,  and  in  many  instances  acknowledgments  have  been  en- 
tered in  the  body  of  the  text.  It  is  proper  to  make  special 
mention  of  Gilbert  Cope,  of  West  Chester,  Penna. ;  Louis 
M.  Childs,  of  Norristown,  Penna.;  Miss  Sallie  H.  Potts,  of 
Camden,  N.  J.;  Mrs,  R.  Shannon  Haines,  of  Mount  Holly, 
N.  J.;  Howard  N.  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  ;  Thomas  Franklin 
Potts,  of  Morrisonville,  111. ;  Miss  Abby  L.  Potts,  of  Potts- 
ville,  Pa.;  Dr.  Samuel  T.  Potts,  of  Augusta,  Ga. ;  George 
W,  Potts,  of  Bowling  Green,  Ky.;  William  O,  Potts,  of 
Cadiz,  Ohio;  Alpheus  Potts,  of  Jeffersonville,  N.  Y, ;  Mrs. 
Emma  Zacharias,  of  Hillsboro,  Va.;  Mi.ss  Sue  G.  Hickey, 
of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  William  V.  Cox,  of  Washington,  D. 
C;  Col.  T.  F.  Spangler,  of  Zanesville,  Ohio;  William  T. 
Seal,  of  Germantown,  Pa.;  Roe  Reisinger,  of  Franklin,  Pa. ; 
William  Trumperant  Potts,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa  ;  Miss  Anna 
M.  North,  of  Trenton.  N.  J.;  Jacob  Potts,  of  Price,  Illinois; 
George  A.  Chandler,  of  Bethlehem,  Pa.;  and  William  C. 
Armstrong,  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.;  and  the  following, 
now  deceased,  Ellis  Potts  Miller,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa  ;  Mrs. 
AnnaT.  Potts-Jones,  of  Conshohocken,  Pa.;  Wm.  F.  Corbit, 
of  Philadelphia;  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Egle,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa. ;  Mrs. 
Amanda  T.  Potts- Best,  of  Hillsboro,  Va.;  Charles  Combs 
Potts,  of  Leesburg,  Va.;  Rev.  Elijah  F.  Rockwell,  D.  D.,  of 
Statesville,  N.  C. ;  Miss  Elizabeth  Rosa  Potts,  of  Baltimore, 
Md. ;  William  H.  Potts,  of  Trenton,  N.  J.;  Gen.  Benjamin 
F.  Potts,  of  Helena,  Mon. ;  Col.  David  G.  Potts,  of  Peters- 
burg,  Va.,  Joel  Potts,  of  Sharpsburg,  111.;  Thomas  Elwood 
Potts,  of  Philadelphia  ;  B.  F.  Harper,  of  Germantown,  Pa. ; 
and  Capt.  Thomas  Potts  Miller,  of  Louisville,  Miss.;    who 


Preface.  ix 

have  contributed  valuable  information  and  aid.  Much  in- 
formation has  been  gleaned  from  manuscripts  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society  at  Philadelphia, 
and  thanks  are  due  to  the  polite  officials  for  favors.  Thanks 
are  due  to  those  who  have  furnished  subjects  for  illustra- 
tion. It  is  proper  to  say  that  portraits  of  the  living  have 
not  been  inserted  from  any  desire  of  notoriety,  but  through 
the  solicitation  of  friends.  T.  M.  P. 

Canonsburg,  Penna.,  0(£lober,  1901. 


Explanatory. 


This  volume  is  divided  into  three  parts.  Part  I  treats  of 
the  family  in  Great  Britain  ;  Part  II  treats  of  the  family-  in 
America  ;  and  Part  III  treats  of  David  Potts  and  his  de- 
scendants. 

Descendants  of  heads  of  families  or  of  first  settlers  are 
numbered  consecutively  and  when  a  name  is  carried  for- 
ward it  may  be  easily  found  by  the  corresponding  number. 

At  the  beginning  of  each  biographical  sketch,  the  per- 
son's number  and  name  are  printed  in  bold  faced  type,  and 
followed  by  the  Christian  name  of  each  ancestor,  back  to 
the  first  known  or  mentioned,  enclosed  in  parentheses. 

In  Parts  II  and  III,  the  small  figures,  \  ^  %  etc.,  indi- 
cate the  generation  back  to  the  first  settler,  and  the  small 
letters,  *,  '',  etc.,  the  trans-atlantic  ancestors. 

Abkreviatioxs.  b.  signifies  born;  d.,  died;  m.  mar- 
ried ;  unm.,  unmarried;  bap.  baptized;  d.  y.,  died  young  ; 
mo.  month  ;  =,  married. 


Table  of  Contents. 


Preface, - •.-■-       V 

Explanatorj',  %..>> x 

Table  of  Contents,  * .v xi 

List  of  Tabulated  Pedigrees, .> xvi 

List  of  Illustrations, xv 

Ivist  of  Autographs, xvii 

Historians  of  the  Potts  Family, xix 

Biographical  Sketch  of  William  John  Potts,, ......Xxiii 

List  of  Subscribers, 


PART  I.     The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 
By  William  John-  Potts. 

Anns  of  Pott  or  Potts, 1 

The  Derivation  of  the  Name,  9 

The  Potts  of  Cheshire  and  Derbyshire^ i<3 

The  Potts  of  Hoole  Hall, 23 

Pott  Hall,  and  Pott  of  Pott,  Cheshire, 27 

The  Potts  of  Stancliffe,  Derbyshire, 36 

The  Potts  of  London, 3^/^ 

Some  Brief  Biographies, 4' 

The  Potts  of  Staffordshire, 4'! 

The  Potts  of  Shropshire, 47 

Thomas  Pott,  the  Persecuted  Quaker,  of  Cheshire, 50 

The  Potts  of  Wales, 55 

The  Potts'  of  Mannington,  Norfolk, > 75 

The  Potts'  of  Bedfordshire, 79 

The  Potts'  of  Bentham  Hill,  Kent, 85 

The  Potts'  of  Scotland, .' 87 

Miscellaneous  Memoranda, ^ .i...  90 

Rev.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Flushing,  Holland, 94 

The  Potts'  of  Ireland 97 

(xi) 


xii  Thk  Potts  Family. 

PART  II.     The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

In  trodudlion 115 

I     The  Earliest  Potts  Emigrants,  116 

II     The  Potts  of  the  Virginia  Settlement, iiS 

III  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family 124 

IV  The  Potts  of  Middlesex  County,  New  Jersey, 185 

^  V     The  Potts  Family  in  Pennsylvania, 192 

VI     Elizabeth  Potts  and  her  Daughter  Jane  Potts, 194 

VII     Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family, 201 

VIII     Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County, 220 

IX     David  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County, 232 

X     Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale) , 234 

XI     The  Orphan  Children  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales, 250 

XII     Joan  or  Jone  Potts, 255 

XIII  Margaret  Potts-Cox, 257 

XIV  Eleanor  Potts-Roberts, 261 

XV     Margaret  Potts-Morgan, 263 

XVI     Rees  Potts,  of  Germantown, 264 

XVII     Jonathan  Potts,  of  Lower  Dublin, 265 

XVIII     "  Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle,"  269 

-  XIX     Kinship  of  the  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania, 282 

XX     David  Potts,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia, 287 

XXI     Jonas  Potts,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia, 312 

XXII     Jonathan  Potts,  of  Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky, 338 

■^  XXIII     John  Potts,  of  Path  Valley,  Pennsylvania 347 

XXIV     The  Potts'  of  Northumberland  County,  Penna., 351 

XXV     The  Potts  Family  of  Barbadoes  and  Maryland, 355 

XXVI     The  Canadian  Branch  of  the  Potts  Family,  362 

XXVII     Early  Potts  Settlers  in  North  Carolina, 365 

XXVIII     Moses  Potts,  of  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina 369 

XXIX     John  Potts,  of  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina 373 

XXX     Henry  Potts,  of  Rowan  County,  North  Carolina, 376 

XXXI  The  Potts'  of  IMecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina,  379 

XXXII     Jonathan  Potts,  of  South  Carolina, 397 

XXXIII  The  Potts  Family  of  Eastern  Virginia,  40: 

XXXIV  The  Potts' of  King  George  County,  Virginia, 405 

XXXV  The  Potts'  of  Georgetown  Distri(5l,  South  Carolina,  408 

XXXVI     Dr.  Anthony  Potts  and  his  Family, 412 

XXXVII     A  Potts  Family  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 414 

XXXVIII     The  Potts' of  Union  Distri(fl,  vSouth  Carolina 416 

XXXIX     The  Potts'  of  Davies  County,  Kentucky 417 

XL     The  Potts'  of  Jefferson  County,  I-Centucky,  420 

XLI     A  Potts  Family  from  County  Cavin,  Ireland,  421 


Table  of  Contents.  xiii 

XLII     A  Potts  Family  from  County  Monaghan,  Ireland, 423 

XIvIII     Dutch  and  German  Families  of  Pott,  Potts  and  Putt, 425 

Wilhelm  and  Degenhardt  Pott,  427 

The  Potts'  of  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania, 432 

XLIV     Some  Miscellaneous  Fragments,  434 

An  Anglo-Hibernian  Potts  Family, 645 


PART  III.      David  Potts  and  his  Descendants. 

I     David  Potts  of  Philadelphia  County,  Pennsylvania,  441 

II     Second  Generation, 450 

III  Third  Generation,  460 

IV  Fourth  Generation, 473 

V     Fifth  Generation, 496 

VI    Sixth  Generation, ; 538 

VII    Seventh  Generation, 590 

VIII     Eighth  Generation, 612 

Snpplement,  620-a 

Appendix, 623 

Index  to  Part  I.     The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain 659 

Index  to  Part  II.     The  Potts  Family  in  America,  667 

Index  to  Part  III.     David  Potts  and  his  Descendants,  695 

Index  to  Part  III,  Continued.     Names  of  Persons  who  haye  Mar- 
ried Descendants  of  David  Potts, 723 

Index  to  Part  III,  Continued.    Names  of  Persons  Incidentally 

Mentioned, 732 


xiv  The  Potts  Family. 


List  of  Tabulated  Pedigrees. 


The  Potts  of  Cheshire  of  Derbyshire 6 

The  Potts  of  Hoole  Hall,  Cheshire, 26 

The  Potts  of  Pott, 28 

The  Potts  of  Cheshire  and  Derbyshire, Facing  36 

Pott  Families  of  London 38^^ 

The  Potts  of  Llangirrig,  Wales, 66 

The  Potts  Family  of  Manington,  Norfolk, 78 

The  Potts'  of  Bedfordshire, 85 

The  Potts'  of  Bentham  Hill,  Kent, 87 

The  Potts  of  Todrig,  Scotland, 90 

The  Potts'  of  Athlone  and  Ballinsloe,  Ireland,  iii 

The  Family  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield), Facing  182 

The  Potts  Family  of  Middlesex  County,  New  Jersey, 191 

The  Family  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  219 

Jonas  Potts'  Family 231 

The  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  ( Colebrookdale ) ,  Family, 246-249 

Thomas  Roberts'  Family , 262 

Jonathan  Potts'  Famil)',  of  Pennsylvania,  269 

The  Potts  Family  of  Llangirrig,  Wales,  and  Pennsylvania,..  Facing  286 

David  Potts'  Family,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia, 311 

Jonas  Pottt"'  Family,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia, 337 

Jonathan  Potts'  Family,  of  Kentucky, 346 

John  Potts'  Family,  (Path  Valley,  Pennsylvania),  350 

The  Barbadoes-Maryland  Family, 361 

An  Irish-Canadian  Branch,  364 

Moses  Potts'  Family,  ( Iredell  County,  North  Carolina) , 371 

John  Potts'  Family,  (Iredell  County,  North  Carolina), 375 

Henry  Potts'  Family,  Rowan  County,  North  Carolina),  378 

The  Potts  Family  of  Mecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina), 391 

John  Potts'  Family,  (Mecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina), 395 

James  Potts'  Family,  (Mecklenburg  County,  North  Carolina), 395 

Jonathan  Potts'  Family,  (South  Carolina), 400 

A  Potts  Family  of  Eastern  Virginia, 404 

The  Potts  Family  of  King  George  Count}',  Virginia,  407 

The  Potts  Family  of  Georgetown  Distridl,  South  Carolina, 411 

The  Family  of  David  Potts' of  Pennsylvania, 614-619 

Stacy  Potts,  (58),  Ancestors  and  Descendants,  Facing  632 


Autographs.  xv 


List  of  Autographs. 


Daniel  Potts,  464 

David  Potts,  (Loudoun  Count}-,  Virginia), 290 

David  Potts,  ( Philadelphia  County,  Pennsylvania), 44t 

Ezekiel  Potts,  (Son  of  David), 458 

James  Potts, 477 

John  Potts,  (Son  of  David), 452 

Jonas  Potts 635 

Nathan  Potts,  (Son  of  David) 459 

Robert  Barnhill  Potts, 499 

Samuel  Potts, 463 

Stephen  Potts,  (Son  of  Davdd), 456 

Thomas  Pott,  the  Persecuted  Quaker,  of  Cheshire, 53,  54 

Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale), 239 

Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Mansfield),  144 

Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Tanner),. 150 

Thomas  Potts,  (Miller), 204,  205,  207,  210,  276,  277 

Thomas  Potts,  (Sheriff) 461 

Thomas  Potts  (Shield), 130,  133,  271,  273,  274 

Thomas  Potts,  (Son  of  David),  450 

Thomas  Jefferson  Potts, 504 

Thomas  Maxwell  Potts, Facing  115 

William  John  Potts Frontispiece,  xxx 

William  Lukens  Potts, 474 


XV  The  Potts  Family. 


Index  to  Important  Wills  and  Deeds. 


Will  of  Francis  Pott,  1638,  (abstracT;), 20 

Will  of  Lawrence  Pott,  1638,   (abstradt), 21 

Will  of  Rev.  Nehemiah  Pott,  1649,  (abstradl),  21 

Will  of  Thomas  Pott,  1652,  (abstradl), 21 

Will  of  William  Pott,  1659,  (abstradt),  22 

Will  of  Edmund  Pott,  1702,  (abstradl), 22 

Will  of  John  Pott,  1724,  (abstradl), 22 

Will  of  Thomas  Pott,  1654,  (Wales) 59 

Will  of  John  Pott,  1672,  (Wales), 61 

Will  of  William  Bound,  1678,  (Wales), 64 

Will  of  John  Potts,  Merchant,  1738,  (Ireland), 100 

Will  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),   1726 131 

Will  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  1754,  (abstradt), 144 

Will  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  1719 209 

Will  of  Judith  Sharp,  1748,  (abstradl), 2x2 

^  Will  of  David  Potts,  176S,  (Loudoun  County,  Va.), 291 

'Will  of  David  Potts,  1730,   (Philadelphia  County,  Pa.), 446 

Will  of  John  Potts,  1766,  (Philadelphia  County,  Pa.), 452 

Will  of  Johannis  Potts,  1591,    (Waterford,  Ireland) 625 

Will  of  John  Potts,  1626,  (Cannicourt,  Ireland),  625 

Will  of  Richard  Potts,  1670,  (Percival,  Scotland), 626 

Will  of  Ann  Potts,  1723,  (Drogheda,  Ireland), 627 

Deed,  John  Woolston  to  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),   1680, 127 

Deed,  George  Porter  to  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  1697,  (abstradt),  ...  134 

Deed,  Nathaniel  Records  to  Thomas  Potts,  1702, 135 

Deed,  Thomas  Potts  to  George  House,  1728, 138 

Abstradls  of  Sundry  Deeds,  (Heirs  of  Mahlon  Stacy) 142 

Deed,  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  to  Andrew  Edge,  1728, 146 

Tripratite  Deed,  John  Austin,  et  al.  to  James  Davis,  1706, 199 

Deed,  John  Blunston,  Agent,  to  Thomas  Pott  or  Potts,  1692 202 

Abstradls  of  sundry  Deeds,  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Colebrookdale),  ..  236 


Index  to  Illustrations. 


Note.    These  illustrations  face  the  page  given.     It  has  not  been  possible  to 
place  all  the  illustrations  in  close  connedtion  with  the  descriptive  text. 


1  Portrait  of  William  John  Potts, Frontispiece 

2  Portrait  of  William  Baird  Potts, xix 

3  Arms,  Pott  of  Pott,   (in  colors), 3 

4  Arms,  Potts  of  Mannington, 4 

5  Arms,  Pott  of  Pott  Hall, 5 

6  Arms,  Pott  of  Stancliffe, 5 

7  Crest,  7 

8  Portrait  of  Robert  Potts,  LL.  D., 44 

9  Portrait  of  Thomas  Maxwell  Potts, 115 

10  Sedlion  of  Baptist  Graveyard  at  Bordentown,  N.  J.,  143 

11  Gen.  Washington  Visiting  Col.  Rahl,  160 

12  Portrait  of  Rachel  Potts-Duhring, 168 

13  Portrait  of  Albert  Potts, 176 

14  Portrait  of  Lieut.  Com.  Stacy  Potts, 178 

15  Portrait  of  Newton  Mtirray  Potts, 180 

16  First  Meeting  Place  of  Germantown  Friends, 205 

17  Residence  of  Isaac  Potts  at  Valley  Forge, 241 

18  Residence  of  Thomas  Maxwell  Potts, 268 

19  Residence  of  William  O.  Potts,  326 

20  Portrait  of  Hon.  Richard  Potts, 356 

21  Portrait  of  William  Trumperant  Potts, 362 

22  Faggs  Manor  Presbyterian  Church, 364 

23  Portrait  of  Stephen  M.  Potts, 375 

24  Portrait  of  Susan  T.  Sturdivant-Potts-Hunt ,  375 

25  Portrait  of  Levica  Potts-Mcllwain, 392 

26  Portrait  of  Col.  David  Graves  Potts, 401 

27  Portrait  of  George  Potts,  421 

28  Residence  of  Alfred  Hamilton  Potts, 424 

(xvii) 


xviii  The  Potts  Family. 

29  Homestead  of  Thomas  J.  Potts,  now  of  William  Potts 441 

30  Plymouth  Friends  Meeting  House, 459 

31  Homestead  of  Zebulon  Potts,  47^ 

32  Portrait  of  Hannah  Holstein-Hughes 473 

33  Portrait  of  William  Lukens  Potts, 475 

34  Portrait  of  Rachel  Hughes-Potts, 474 

35  Portrait  of  Thomas  Isaac  Potts,  476 

36  Portrait  of  Hannah  Elizabeth  Potts, 478 

37  Portrait  of  Nathan  Rhoads  Potts, '. 487 

38  Portrait  of  William  Potts  at  91 492 

39  Portrait  of  Robert  Tower  Potts, 494 

40  Portrait  of  Cliarles  Clay  Potts 49^ 

41  Portrait  of  William  Francis  Potts, 498 

42  Portrait  of  Robert  Barnhill  Potts, 500 

43  Portrait  of  Thomas  Jefferson  Potts, 503 

44  Portrait  of  Margaret  Carter-Potts, 502 

45  Portrait  of  Jesse  Charles  Potts, 505 

46  Portrait  of  Eunice  Walker-Potts, 504 

47  Potts  Memorial  Recflory,  Albanj',  506 

48  Portrait  of  Joseph  Potts, 518 

49  Portrait  of  Howard  Cameron  Potts,  520 

50  Portrait  of  Priscilla  Potts-SchafFer, 522 

51  Portrait  of  Martha  T.  Potts-SchafFer, 524 

52  Swedeland,  Residence  of  William  Weaver  Potts. 537 

53  Portrait  of  Horace  Turley  Potts, 538 

54  Portrait  of  Charles  William  Potts, 540 

55  Portrait  of  Hon.  Frederick  A.  Potts 542 

56  Portrait-  of  James  Carter  Potts 546 

57  Portrait  of  William  Potts, 54S 

58  Portrait  of  Joseph  Tarrance  Potts, 550 

59  Alfred  Hamilton  Potts  and  Family,  552 

60  Portraits  of  Milton  G.  Potts  and  George  C.  Potts, 568 

61  Portrait  of  Capt.  Howard  Wheatley  Shipley, 57°^ 

62  Portrait  of  Mary  Miller-Potts, 590 

63  Portrait  of  Rev.  Thomas  Pliny  Potts, 592 

64  Portrait  of  William  Baker  Potts,  594 

65  Portrait  of  Mitchel  Miller  Potts, 597 

66  Sadie  Grace  Beatty-Potts, 596 

67  Reuben  Claude  Potts  and  Family, 598 

68  Portrait  of  Louis  Maxwell  Potts,  Ph.  D., 600 

69  Portrait  of  ElHs  Potts  Miller, 604 


NN'II. 1,1AM     I<AIRI>    I'DTTS. 


Historians  of  the  Potts  Family. 


Several  persons  in  the  past  have  given  more  or  less  at- 
tention to  the  history  and  genealogy  of  some  branch  of  the 
Potts  family.  These  efforts  have  been  mainly  confined  to 
the  family  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  Germantown  and 
Colebrookdale,  sometimes  referred  to  as  the  "  Pottstown 
Family. ' '  The  early  investigators  started  upon  the  assump- 
tion that  the  Thomas  Potts  who  came  to  America  in  1678,* 
landed  at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  and  settled  there,  was 
the  head  of  this  family.  The  pioneer  in  these  researches 
was  the  late  William  Baird  Potts,  Esq.,  of  Schuylkill 
County,  Pennsylvania. 

WiLLiAN  Baird  Potts  f  was  the  son  of  William  and 
Mary  Frances  (Potts)  Potts.  Mary  Frances  Potts  was  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  who  was  the  Medical  Di- 
redlor  General  of  the  Continental  Armies  of  the  Revolution, 
and  who  was  stationed  in  New  York  and  the  Canadas  dur- 
ing the  greater  part  of  the  struggle  for  Independence. 

William  Baird  Potts  was  born  Feb.  22,  1802,  at  Potts- 
town, Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania.  His  early  life 
was  passed  in  the  better  schools  of  that  day.  For  a  short 
time  after  completing  his  studies  at  school,  he  was  employed 
in  a  store  at  Reading.  He  prepared  himself  for  the  pradlice 
of  the  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  eventually  remov- 
ing to  Orwigsburg,  Schuylkill  County.       He  married  Jane 

*  See  infra,  page  124  et  seq. 

t  Note.    The  data  for  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Howard  D.  Potts,  Esq.,  of 
Harrisburg.     For  position  iu  family  see  infra,  page  246. 

(xix) 


XX  The  Potts  Family. 

Hughes  Downing,    daughter   of   Major  I^evi  Downing   of 
Dowuingtown,  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  Aprils,  1830. 

During  his  residence  at  Orwigsburg,  he  conceived  the  idea 
of  a  genealogical  history  of  the  Potts  family.  He  encoun- 
tered the  usual  hindrances  and  difficulties  incident  to  such 
an  undertaking,  but  the  work  grew  interesting  to  him  and 
he  continued  it  for  over  seven  years.  He  spent  much  of  his 
time  and  private  means  in  his  researches  for  data  and  fadls 
concerning  the  early  history  and  the  arrivals  from  abroad  of 
the  earliest  emigrants  of  the  name  of  Potts.  He  also  car- 
ried on  an  extensive  correspondence  with  persons  living  in 
England,  Wales,  Ireland  and  Scotland,  and  accumulated  a 
large  coUedlion  of  documents  and  valuable  papers  relative 
the  subjedl.  He  had  beside  unusual  facilities  in  having  ac- 
cess to  old  family  papers  in  the  libraries,  and  even  in  lofts 
and  garrets,  of  members  of  the  family  then  living.  In 
1850  he  presented  these  accumulations  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Historical  Society  at  Philadelphia,  where  they  are  preser\'ed 
in  two  bound  volumes.  In  the  last  years  of  his  life,  he  com- 
piled into  book  form  his  data  concerning  the  family  of 
Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  Germantown  and  Colebrookdale. 
With  the  exception  of  the  statement  that  this  Thomas  Potts 
was  the  son  of  that  Thomas  Potts  who  came  to  Burlington, 
New  Jersey,  in  1678,  the  record  has  been  pronounced  alto- 
gether corredl  as  far  as  it  goes.  His  labor  of  love  was  lat- 
terly interfered  with  by  ill  health,  and  finally  interrupted 
entirely  by  his  death,  which  took  place  Oclober  9,  1855. 
His  manuscript  volume  has  been  preserved  by  his  family, 
and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  was  in  the  custody  of  his 
son,  the  late  Hon.  W.  Ramsay  Potts,  of  Pottsville,  Penna. 

At  the  change  of  the  County-Seat  of  Schuylkill  County 
in  1850,  from  Orwigsburg  to  Pottsville,  Mr.  Potts  removed 
to  the  latter  place.  He  was  eminently  successful  as  an  at- 
torney, and  at  his  decease  left  a  large  clientage  to  his  eldest 
son,  who  succeeded  him  and  continued  the  pracftice  for  over 
forty  years. 


Historians  of  the  Potts  Family.  xxi 

Rev.  Edward  D.  Neill,  D.  D.,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
scholar,  antiquarian,  and  author,  in  1863,  published  an  ad- 
mirable Biog-raphical  Sketch  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  the 
Medical  Direcftor  General  in  the  Revoluton,  in  pamphlet 
form.  In  a  foot-note  on  the  first  page,  he  gives  what  pur- 
ports to  be  a  brief  pedigree  of  the  family,  but  unfortunately 
confounds  three  or  four  families  by  combining  them  into  one, 
and  making  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  Shield,  the  head.  In 
his  Virginia  Caroloruni  he  gives  some  account  of  Dr.  John 
Pott  and  Captain  Francis  Pott,  his  brother,  of  Jamestown. 

Dr.  James  Henry  Carr,  late  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
gave  many  years  at'ention  to  collecting  information  concern- 
ing those  of  the  name  of  Potts  in  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  especially  from  deeds,  wills,  Friends  records,  and 
such  like.  He  prepared,  in  manuscript,  a  genealogy  of  the 
family  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  Germantown  and  Cole- 
brookdale.  His  colle(flion  was  very  valuable  and  reliable  in 
all  particulars,  except  that  he  claimed  this  Thomas  Potts, 
Junior,  to  have  been  the  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  Shield. 
He  would  not  admit  his  error  on  this  point,  and  no  array  of 
facls  or  argument  would  he  listen  to  or  admit.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1882,  he  published  an  article  in  the  Montgomoy  Led- 
ger of  Norristown,  Pa.,  entitled  "  Solution  of  the  old  Potts 
Puzzle,"  *  in  which  he  brings  together,  in  a  small  space,  a 
valuable  colledtion  of  data. 

Mr,  William  John  Potts,  late  of  Camden,  New  Jersey, 
had  his  attention  called  to  the  subjecft  in  the  latter  part  of 
1869,  and  began  a  systematic  and  thorough  investigation  and 
was  in  time  surprised  that  so  many  important  sources  of  in- 
formation, bearing  upon  the  subject,  had  not  up  to  that  time 
been  examined.  He  was  the  first  to  make  a  clear  statement 
and  assign  to  these  first  settlers  their  true  position,  and  show 
that  they  were  not  all  of  one  family.  See  Biographical 
Sketches,  pages  xxiii  and  541. 

*  See  iuf ra,  page  269,  et  seq. 

C 


xxii  The  Potts  Family. 

Dr.  John  Neill,  (brother  of  Rev.  Edward  D.  Neill),  in 
in  his  John  Neill,  of  Lewes,  Delaware,  prints  a  paragraph  or 
two,  to  dispel  the  confusion  that  had  before  existed  as  to 
the  several  Thomas  Potts' ,  living  at  the  same  time. 

Mrs.  Thomas  Potts  James,  late  of  Cambridge,  Massa- 
chussetts,  in  1874,  published  a  Memorial  of  Thomas  Potts ^ 
Junior,  etc,  This  is  a  fine  quarto  volume  of  416  pages,  giv- 
ing a  record  of  over  1200  descendants  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jun- 
ior, of  Germantown  and  Colebrookdale.  It  contains  much 
historical  matter,  and  is  handsomely  illustrated. 

FuTHEY  &  Cope's  History  of  Chester  County,  Pejinsylva- 
nia,  (1881),  contains  some  biographical  sketches  of  persons 
of  the  name  who  have  resided  in  that  County. 

William  F.  CoolEy,  in  his  Older  Hunterdon  County, 
New  Jersey,   gives  a  short  account  of  the  Potts'  of  Trenton. 

Old  Kent  oj  Maryland  and  Provincial  Cou7icillors,  both 
have  brief  accounts  of  the  family  of  Hon.  Richard  Potts. 


Biographical  Sketch 


OF 


William  John  Potts. 


William  John  Potts,*  sou  of  Robert  Barnhill  and  Sarah 
Page  (Grew)  Potts,  was  born  Odtober  14,  1842,  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  and  died  November  18,  1895,  in 
Camden,  New  Jersey.  When  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  the 
family  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  Camden.  He  attended 
schools  in  both  cities,  and  later  attended  courses  of  ledlures 
on  Chemistry  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  at  the 
Polytechnic  College  of  Philadelphia.  After  completing  his 
education,  he  for  several  years  filled  the  position  of  Analyt- 
ical Chemist  in  the  large  manufadluring  chemical  works  es- 
tablished and  operated  by  his  father. 

After  a  few  years,  he  relinquished  his  profession  and  de- 
voted his  time  to  intellectual  pursuits,  which  he  found  to  be 
more  congenial  to  his  tastes.  Being  a  person  of  means  he  was 
free  from  the  exacting  demands  business,  and  in  consequence 
pursued  those  branches  of  science  and  literature  to  his  liking. 
His  more  favored  subjects  were  history,  genealogy,  archae- 
ology, numismatics,  and  kindred  studies.  He  condudled  a 
large  correspondence  and  kept  in  touch  with  a  seledl  circle 
of  educated  persons  of  kindred  tastes.  He  valued  his  mem- 
bership in  the  American  Philosophical  Society  very  highly 
and  took  a  great  interest  in  its  proceedings.     At  the  time  of 

*  Note.     In  compiliug  this  sketch,  the  writer  has  consulted  the  biography  of 
William  John  Potts  by  Dr.  F.  D.  Stone  and  relied  upon  it  for  material  fadts. 

(xxiii) 


xxiv  The  Potts  Family. 

death  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  Pennsj-lvania  Historical 
Society,  the  New  Jersey  Historical  Society,  the  New  Eng- 
land Historic  Genealogical  Society,  the  American  Folk-Lore 
Society,  the  English  Folk- Lore  Society,  the  Pennsylvania 
Sons  of  the  Revolution,  the  New  Jersey  Sons  of  the  Revo- 
lution, the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars  for  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  Society  of  Colonial  Wars  for  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  and  a  corresponding  member  of  the  Wisconsin  His- 
torical Society.  He  had  also  been  a  member  of  the  Acade- 
my of  Natural  Sciences  and  of  the  Numismatic  and  Anti- 
quarian Societies  of  Philadelphia. 

He  was  unmarried,  but  very  happy  in  his  home  surround- 
ing which,  after  the  decease  of  his  father,  included  his 
mother,  brother  and  sister,  where  every  needed  comfort  and 
many  luxuries  aided  to  make  life  enjoyable.  His  home  be- 
came a  meeting  place  of  his  friends,  and  he  was  made  pres- 
ident of  a  local  art  club  that  met  there.  He  was  also  pres- 
ident of  the  "  Fortnightly  Club,"  which  held  its  meetings 
at  the  homes  of  the  members,  where  lectures  and  other  ele- 
vating entertainments  were  enjoyed.  Later  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  University  Extension  in  Camden,  and  labored 
zealously  to  give  his  fellow  citizens  the  benefit  of  the  most 
interesting  and  instructive  courses  of  lectures. 

The  late  Dr.  Frederick  D.  Stone,  librarian  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Historical  Society,  his  life-long  friend  and  biogra- 
pher, says  of  him  : 

To  sum  up  Mr.  Potts'  characfler  in  a  few  words,  he  can  best  be  de- 
scribed as  an  educated  gentleman  of  broad  and  liberal  tastes,  in  whose 
company  every  one  could  find  pleasure.  Although  not  a  college 
graduate,  his  education  was  excellent,  and  it  was  svippleraented  bj*  the 
advantage  of  extensive  travel,  at  a  time  when  his  mind  was  open  to 
broadening  influences.  Early  in  1866  he  sailed  for  Europe,  and  re- 
mained abroad  for  more  than  two  years.  In  1880  he  again  visited 
Europe,  and  did  not  return  until  1S82.  On  his  first  trip  he  visited 
some  of  the  principal  European  capitals.  His  second  trip  was  ex- 
tended to  Norway,  Sweden,  Russia,  Italy,  Spain  and  as  far  up  the 
Nile  as  the  first  cataradl. 


William  John  Potts.  xxv 

Rev.  E.  H.  Byington,  D.  D,,  in  an  obituary  notice,  pub- 
lished in  the  proceedings  of  the  New  England  Historic  Gen- 
ealogical Society  for  1896,  writes  : 

He  -was  a  man  of  remarkable  industry  and  skill  in  antiquarian  re* 
search,  and  he  left  many  of  his  plans  unfinished,  on  account  of  his  too 
early  death.  He  was  a  genial  companion,  agreeable  in  conversation , 
gentle  and  patient  in  enduring  the  long-continued  physical  suffering 
of  his  last  years.  "The  death  of  such  a  man,"  says  one  of  his  old 
neighbors,  "  is  a  loss  to  the  community  which  can  only  be  properly 
estimated  after  the  sad  event  has  occurred." 

He  was  a  contributor  to  The  Pennsylvania  Magasine  of 
History  and  Biography ,  The  New  England  Historic  Genealog- 
ical Register^  The  Nez^  York  Genealogical  and  Biographical 
Record,  the  London  (Eng. )  Notes  and  Queries,  and  other 
periodicals.  He  contributed  valuable  material  for  a  number 
of  works,  and  the  authors  of  several  books  published  in 
England  give  him  credit  for  securing  valuable  materials  for 
their  use  from  America.      Dr.  Stone  says  of  him, 

It  may  well  be  asked  if  Mr,  Potts  gave  no  one  of  his  numerous 
tastes  a  prominence  over  another,and  while  the  answer  must  be  in  the 
negative,  so  far  as  his  studies  were  concerned,  there  was  certainly  one 
class  of  composition  in  which  he  excelled,  and  to  which  I  think  he 
gave  a  particular  attention — I  mean  the  well-nigh  lost  art  of  letter- 
writing.     For  this  he  seems  to  have  had  a  natural-born  taste. 

Dr.  Stone  quotes  from  many  of  his  letters,  and  in  one 
written  to  the  doctor  from  Paris  in  January  in  1882,  he  re- 
fers to  the  skull-cap  seen  in  his  portrait,  as  follows, 

INIy  researches  in  the  British  Museum  were  after  all  not  very  satis- 
fadlory, — though  quite  laborious, — owing  to  the  dark  fogs  of  Novem- 
ber. The  atmosphere  in  the  Reading  Room  does  not  at  first  appear  to 
be  so  bad,  but  constant  attendance  convinced  me  that  the  necessary  oxy- 
gen to  keep  up  the  brilliancy  of  one's  intelle<5l  is  not  to  be  found  in  an 
English  November,  and  especially  in  the  badly  ventilated  Reading 
Room  of  this  wonderful  library.  When  ventilated  at  all,  a  cold 
draught  cuts  across  one's  back  from  an  occasional  door  being  opened 
in  the  gallery.  I  have  bought  myself  a  black  velvet  skull-cap,  such 
as  the  priests  wear  to  cover  their  tonsures  in  the  cold  European  cathe- 
drals.    It  is  a  very  useful  article,  and  has  a  most  foreign  look  ;  and  if 


xxvi  The  Potts  Family. 

you  have  any  draughts  in  the  Society's  Rooms  I  shall  honor  you  when 
I  get  back,  and  should  anybody  ask  what  distinguished  prelate  that 
is,  you  can  say,  "A  bishop  from  Jersey." 

Mr.  Potts'  letters  to  the  writer  hereof  cover  more  than  fif- 
teen hundred  pages,  and  he  can  readily  agree  with  Dr.  Stone 
that  there  was  something  intangible  about  them  that  gave 
them  a  peculiar  charm,  and  an  expected  letter  was  anticipa- 
ted with  pleasure  and  read  with  the  keenest  relish.  The 
last  letter  written  by  his  own  hand  to  the  compiler  was  dated 
March,  1895.  The  following  are  some  pargraphs  extracled 
from  a  letter  written  from  Paris  in  1882,  in  which  among 
other  things  he  discusses,  at  some  length,  some  disputed 
points  in  the  Potts  pedigree  not  then  altogether  clear.  The 
whole  letter  comprises  sixteen  closely  written  pages. 

Paris,  Fr.\nce,  Feb.  17.  1882. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Thank  3-ou  for  your  interesting  letter  dated  27  January.  I  was  par- 
ticularly interested  in  your  account  af  the  stubborn  revival  of  Mr. 
Carr's  theory  of  the  Pottstown  family's  descent  from  Thomas  Potts  of 
the  Shield.  I  have  become  rather  excited  about  it,  and  I  must  say 
it  has  aroused  me  to  fresh  effort  in  the  elucidation  of  this  matter. 

Since  I  have  been  abroad,  everything  convinces  me  that  our  coun- 
try's greatness  is  advancing  with  tremendous  strides,  and  rapidly  be- 
coming apparent  to  all  Europe.  As  has  been  said,  certainly  without 
exaggeration,  in  one  hundred  years  we  shall  number  two  hunded  mil- 
lions population.  There  are  signs  too  of  a  great  era  of  American  liter- 
ature, historical  as  well  as  general.  When  this  coming  century  shall 
have  passed  away  there  will  be  more  than  ever  of  the  curious  and 
justly  proud  who  will  take  an  interest  in  the  founders  of  this  magnifi- 
cent empire.  You  and  I  have  duties  to  perform  to  posterity  to  pre- 
serve "the  fragments  which  remain  that  nothing  be  lost  "  of  the  his- 
tory of  our  ancestors. 

Though  I  have  published  nothing  in  the  defence  of  my  theorj'  of 
the  pedigree  of  the  several  families  of  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  my  labor  in  the  voluminous  correspondence  with  Mrs.  Thomas 
Potts  James  and  Mr.  James  H.  Carr  was  very  great.  It  was  this  as  you 
know  which  caused  Mrs.  James  to  drop  her  claim  to  Thomas  Potts  of 
the  Shield  ;  and  ray  correspondence  with  the  Neills  of  Philadelphia, 
which  was  the  means  of  their  also  abandoning  T.  P.,  Shield  and  giv- 
ing, in  the  Potts  part  of  the  Neill  Genealogy,  my  evidence  (in  part)  of 
the  claim  of  the  New  Jersey  family  to  Thomas  Potts  of  the  Shield. 


William  John  f  otts.  xxvii 

You  have  referred  in  your  last  letter  to  Mr.  Carr  making  a  newspa- 
per publication  entitled  "  the  Potts  Puzzle  "  *  in  which  he  still  lays 
claim  to  the  Shield  for  the  Pottstown  family.  I  met  him  often  at  the 
Historical  Society's  Rooms.  His  argument  was  always  the  same,  and 
not  one  new  thing  could  or  would  he  add  to  it,  viz. :  that  a  certain  deed 
recorded  in  Philadelphia  showed  that  Thomas  Potts  of  Colebrookdale 
sold  a  house  and  lot  in  Philadelphia,  which  he  had  inherited  under 
the  will  of  his  father,  Thomas  Potts,  will  1726. f  He  further  said 
there  could  be  no  doubt  that  T.  P.  will  1726  was  the  same  as  T.  P.  of 
the  Shield,  because  of  the  remarkable  and  unusual  T  which  was  used 
in  the  signature  being  identical  with  that  of  the  old  T.  P's  signature  of 
Burlington. 

Now  this  is  the  whole  of  his  argument,  and  the  strong  point  in  it 
which  it  is  incumbent  for  us  to  attack  and  to  examine  critically  is  the 
deed  recording  the  above  statement.  That  once  broken  down  their 
whole  case  goes.  If  you  could  examine  this  deed  and  show  that  the 
Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  mentioned  in  it  was  not  proved  to  be  him  of 
Colebrookdale,  then  their  evidence  falls  to  the  ground.  Mr.  Carr 
once  took  me  to  the  office  of  the  Recorder  of  Deeds  in  Philadelphia, 
and  gave  me  a  paper  with  the  index  to  Potts  deeds,  but  I  cannot  now 
remember  whether  I  saw  this  deed.  The  moment  I  get  home  I  shall 
copy  it  and  weigh  its  value  very  carefully.  I  found  even  then  at  that 
examination  several  deeds  which  bore  out  my  theory.  Though  I  must 
say  that  I  viewed  the  matter  in  a  generous  and  liberal  way  and  argued 
from  his  side  and  tried  to  prove  his  case  right,  but  I  could  not  make 
mine  wrong,  unless  this  deed  is  so  strong  in  every  detail  that  it  can- 
not be  gainsayed.  It  must  positively  show  that  the  Thomas,  Jr.,  it  re- 
fers to  was  the  Colebrookdale  Thomas  and  could  not  be  the  Thomas  of 
Mansfield  and  of  Bucks  County,  who  might  for  a  short  time  have  been 
in  the  City.  This  is  the  most  important  clause  in  this  deed,  and  the 
next  of  course  is  the  reference  to  Thomas  Potts  of  the  will  of  1726  in- 
serted in  it. 

I  have  abundant  official  record  evidence  to  show  that  the  old  Thom- 
as Potts  of  Burlington  recognized  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of  Springfield, 
Mansfield,  and  Bucks  County  as  his  son,  and  that  his  wife  Ann  joined 
with  him  in  an  important  deed,  recognizing  this  Thomas  Potts  of 
Springfield  as  their  son.  I  have  legal  evidence  to  show  that  the  Jun- 
ior of  Philadelphia  was  not  the  person  meant  in  this  deed.  I  have  ev- 
idences to  show  that  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  was  born  before  the  Shield 
landed,  while  the  Thomas  Potts  of  Colebrookdale,  by  his  own  show- 
ing, was  born  in  1680,  after  that  vessel  landed.     The  collareral  or  cir- 


*  See  infra,  page  269  et  seq. 
t  See  infra,  pages  131  and  138. 


xxviii  The  Potts  Family. 

cunistanlial  evidences  also  are  favorable  to  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of 
Mansfield,  etc.  No  birth  record  on  the  Burlington  books  appears  of 
T.  P.  of  Colebrookdale,  no  evidence  whatever  that  he  was  ever  in  Bur- 
lington in  his  life.  He  was  a  Quaker,  while  on  the  other  hand  not 
only  was  T.  P.  Mansfield  married  at  the  house  of  his  father,  Thomas 
Potts,  in  Burlington  as  the  Court  Record  states,*  biit  he  was  also  a 
Baptist  and  appears  like  his  father  on  the  books  of  the  Pennepack 
Baptist  Records. 

I  have  in  my  letters  to  Mr.  Carr  only  carried  ni}-  argument  down  to 
1699,  when  old  T.  P.,  Shield,  left  and  went  to  Pennepack,  but  I  have 
not  endeavored  to  show  or  prove  to  Mr.  Carr  that  I  claimed  the  Pen- 
nepack Senior  as  him  of  the  Shield  and  as  one  and  the  same  with  T. 
P.,  wife  Alice,  will  1726  who  died  in  Philadelphia.  I  did  not  think  it 
necessary  to  prove  or  disprove  this  further  history  of  T.  P.,  Shield, 
beyond  1699-1700,  up  to  which  time  I  made  the  affiliation  positive  be- 
tween him  and  T.  P.,  Mansfield.  Now  Carr  says,  after  all  this,  that 
T.  P.  Colebrookdale,  could  only  be  his  lawful  son. 

I  need  not  refer  j-ou  to  the  circumstantial  evidence  of  the  New  Jersey 
family,  Stacy  Potts'  letter  of  1769!  and  their  Bible  records.  Can- 
said  they  were  worthless.  I  have  the  statement  on  Thomas  Potts  of 
Mansfield's  tombstone  as  to  his  age,  and  the  parish  register  of  his 
death  giving  the  same,  both  showing  that  he  was  born  before  the 
landing  of  the  Shield.  Smith's  History  too  that  Thomas  Potts  came 
in  the  Shield  bringing  his  wife  and  children.  Carr  would  also  set  that 
aside  as  to  the  term  "children."  I  have  the  Burlington  Court  record 
that  Ruth  Kettle  was  married  at  the  house  of  her  father-in-law  [step- 
father] Thomas  Potts  to  Thomas  Bibb,  Tanner.  The  only  name  that 
approaches  to  this  funny  "Kettle"  is  Cattle,  now  written  Cattell,  of 
New  Jerse}-,  of  which  there  was  (perhaps  it  is  only  a  coincidence)  an 
early  Jonas  Cattle.  I  presume  the  name  to  have  been  the  same  as  Catla. 
A  John  Catla  appears  at  an  early  date  on  the  Pennepack  records. 
These  latter  records,  by  the  waj-,  I  have  been  over  several  times  most 
carefully.  Kettle  is  a  common  name  in  Cheshire,  England.  Could 
it  be  possible  that  Thomas  Potts,  Shield,  married  a  widow  Cattle  or 
Kettle  ? 

I  had,  as  I  have  told  you,  evidence  that  Thomas  Potts  of  the  Shield 
came  from  Chesterfield,  in  Derbyshire.  Some  years  ago  I  wrote  at 
random  (not  knowing  his  name)  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Parish  Records, 
Chesterfield,  Derbyshire.  It  was  nearl}-,  if  not  more  than,  a  3'ear  af- 
terward when  I  received  a  reply  from  a  person,  signing  himself  "G. 
Damns,"  stating  that  he  had  been  very  Vjusy  w'hen  he  received  my  let- 


*  See  infra,  page  135. 

*  See  infra,  page  631. 


William  John  Potts.  xxix 

ter,  that  he  had  examined  his  records  for  the  name  of  Potts  in  the 
period  desired,  (I  had  purposely  specified  no  Christian  names),  that 
he  had  a  nvimber  which  he  thought  would  be  of  interest ;  but  as  I  was 
a  stranger  to  him,  would  I  send  him  two  pounds  (^2)  some  shillings 
first.  I  naturally  thought  "  G.  Damns"  has  a  bad  sound  and  was 
suspicious  of  the  name  and  the  unusual  length  of  time  taken  to  answer 
my  letter.  So  I  took  no  notice  of  his  tardy  reply,  not  wishing  to  risk 
eleven  dollars.  Some  time  after  a  friend  wrote  me  from  England  that 
there  aiflually  was  such  a  man  in  the  Chesterfield,  Derbyshire,  Diredl- 
ory  as  "  G.  Damns,  Parish  Clerk."  *  *  *  Your  letter  has 
stirred  me  up  so,  I  think  I'll  go  to  Chesterfield  if  it  is  not  a  very  ex- 
pensive journey. 

In  five  weeks  I  leave  here  for  England  to  stay  a  week  in  London, 
make  a  short  examination  again  in  the  British  Museum  and  then  make 
a  tour  of  England  preparatory  to  returning  to  America  in  the  Spring. 
It  is  some  years  since  I  had  a  letter  from  Mr.  Carr  containing  a  copy 
of  one  received  by  Rev.  Edward  D.  Neill,  then  U.  S.  Consul  at  some 
foreign  port,  an  answer  to  one  the  said  Neill  had  addressed  to  a  certain 
English  customs  official  at  Trinity  House,  Hull,  who  happened  also 
to  be  an  antiquary.  It  stated  that  there  was  no  record  of  any  vessel 
named  the  Shield  sailing  from  Hull  in  167S.  But  as  the  Shield  sailed 
from  Stockton  upon  Hull,  that  was  of  no  account. 

You  know  I  had  the  Quaker  records  in  London  searched.  Those 
particularly  referring  to  Cheshire  and  Wales.  From  the  former  I  ob- 
tained a  record  of  the  descendants  of  Thomas  Potts,  the  persecuted 
Quaker,  mentioned  in  Besse.  Wales  was  deficient,  the  persecution 
having  raged  so  that  meetings  were  broken  up  at  an  early  date  and  their 
members  emigrated  in  a  body  to  America.  The  wills  in  Bangor  cover 
the  part  of  Wales  from  which  our  family  came.  There  are  few  Potts'  in 
the  period  we  desire,  and  the  wills  I  have  do  not  make  the  connection 
with  David,  because  they  are  too  early,  but  they  are  valuable.  How- 
ever there  are  great  voids  in  these  Welsh  wills,  but  I  think  all  the  cir- 
cumstantial evidence  shows  David  came  from  these.  *  *  The 
Parish  Records  of  Llangurrig,  so  the  history  of  that  place  which  I 
examined  in  the  British  Museum  states,  are  only  existing  from  a  late 
date.     Perhaps  the  adjoining  parishes  may  be  more  fortunate. 

Of  your  correspondent  Mr.  Robert  Potts,  M.  A.,  of  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  I  have  heard  in  Allibone's  Dictionary  of  Authors,  I  be- 
lieve, where  he  figures  on  the  roll  of  honor.  In  1867  when  at  Kreutz- 
nach,  a  watering  place  in  Germany,  I  met  a  very  agreeable  English 
clergyman,  since  Bishop  of  Ningpo  in  China,  a  learned  man  in  the 
Chinese  tongue.  His  name  was  William  A.  Russell,  and  he  came 
from  Dublin.  He  told  me  his  grandmother  was  a  Potts,  an  old  family 
of  that  place, 
d 


XXX  The  Potts  Family. 

If  in  England  there  are  man}-  sources  to  obtain  genealogical  infor- 
mation they  require  considerable  length  of  time  to  become  acquainted 
with  them.  To  be  sure  they  have  the  wills,  and  where  they  exist  the 
parish  registers;  but  are  wanting  in  that  one  great  clue  which  we  have 
to  perfection,  an  institution  of  great  importance,  not  only  to  the  gen- 
ealogist but  to  the  Republic,  the  open  registry  of  deeds,  What  would 
either  of  us  know  about  the  Potts  genealogy  if  we  had  no  Recorder  of 
Deeds  office  ?  It  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  made  anything 
out  of  it.  The  pedigrees  examined  were  only  those  of  the  great  land- 
ed families,  for  none  other  exist  in  England.  The  tenants  of  whom, 
were  most  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Americans,  did  not  own  in  the  old 
country  a  foot  of  land  at  that  early  date,  consequenly  if  there  were 
any  recorded  deeds  of  land,  none  of  these  tenant  farmers  would  be 
found  among  them.  The  County  Histories  are  pompous  memorials  of 
the  great  alone.  Ancient  names  of  any  but  the  nobility  or  families  of 
great  property  are  not  even  mentioned.  This  is  vitterly  regardless  of 
the  fadl  expressed  by  Camden,  the  antiquary,  that  the  high  are  de- 
scended from  the  low,  and  the  low  from  the  high.  Addison  remarks, 
of  the  pedigree  of  an  Englishman,  that  where  his  ancestors  were  of  no 
condition  he  conceals  their  origin  by  writing  "Esquire"  after  their 
names.  So  a  pedigree  which  really  might  give  some  clue  to  certain 
names  purposely  conceals  any  fadl  that  may  identify  them.  All  this 
s  so  different  from  the  plain  honesty  and  outspoken  truth  of  a  Repub- 
lican genealogy  that  it  is  perplexing  and  vexatious. 

So  with  best  wishes,  I  remain, 

Yours  Truly, 


Thom.\s  Maxweli.  Potts. 
Canonsburg, 

Pennsylvania, 

United  States. 

Mr.  Potts  in  appearance  was  a  very  robust  man,  but  long 
suffered  from  ill  health,  being  subjedl  to  attacks  which, 
for  the  time  being,  caused  him  great  suffering  and  prostra- 
tion. As  the  years  increased  these  attacks  became  more 
frequent  and  longer  continued.  He  had  the  benefit  of  the 
best  medical  skill  and  the  ministrations  of  tender  hands  of 
loving  care-takers,  but  at  last  succumbed  to  the  fell  destroy- 
er— death.  In  religious  convicftion  and  affiliation,  he  was 
an  Episcopalian. 


List  of  Subscribers. 


Note.  The  following  named  persons  have  each  subscribed  for  one  or  more 
copies  of  this  Historical  ColleOtion.  By  so  doing  they  made  it  possible  to  pub- 
lish this  book  and  are  therefore  entitled  to  a  share  of  the  credit.  Those  marked 
with  an  *  are  now  deceased. 


Adele  M.  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Alexander  J.  Potts,  Esquimalt,  British  Columbia. 

Alfred  Hamilton  Potts.  Parkesburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Alpheus  Potts,  Jeffersonville,  New  York. 

Anna  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Arthur  Potts,  Frederick,  Maryland. 

Arthur  Harrison  Potts,  Hillsboro,  Virginia. 

Benjamin  C.  Potts,  Media,  Pennsylvania. 

Benjamin  J.  Potts,  Andrews,  Ohio. 

C.  H.  Potts,  Erie,  Pennsylvania. 

Charles  Pitman  Potts,  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Charles  Sower  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Charles  William  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Cornelia  Ross  Potts,  Washington,  D.  C. 

David  Potts,  St.  Francisville,  Illinois. 

David  G.  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Edgar  Potts,  Port  Jervis,  New  York. 

Edwin  B.  Potts,  Wheeling,  West  Virginia. 

Ella  Potts,  Sylva,  North  Carolina. 

Elizabeth  H.  Potts,  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

Francis  Lanier  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

George  Potts,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

George  Potts,  Unionport,  Ohio. 

(xxxi) 


xxxii  The  Potts  Family. 

George  C.  Potts,  Harrisburg,  Peiitisylvania. 

George  Dunlap  Potts,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Dr.  George  Jerald  Potts,  Vidloria,  British  Columbia. 

George  W.  Potts,   Bowling  Green,  Kentucky. 

George  W.  Potts,  Dubois,  Nebraska. 

George  H.  Potts,  Pottstowu,  Pennsylvania. 

George  W.  Potts,*  Marne,  Iowa. 

Henry  W.  Potts,  Shepherdstown,  West  Virginia, 

Hiram  Potts,  Detroit,  Michigan. 

Howard  Cameron  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Howard  Downing  Potts,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Howard  Newcomb  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

J.  H.  Potts,  Washington,  D.  C. 

J.  Herbert  Potts,  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey. 

Dr.  James  Albin  Potts,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Carter  Potts,  Bellville,  Ohio. 

James  D.  Potts,  New  York. 

Jennie  S.  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Capt.  Jesse  Newport  Potts,*  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

Jerome  Potts,  Florence,  Pennsylvania. 

Jerome  Potts,  Sugar  Grove,  Ohio. 

Jesse  Walker  Potts,  Albany,  New  York. 

Rev.  John  Vinton  Potts,  North  Robinson,  Ohio. 

Joseph  Potts,  Potts  Station,  Arkansas. 

Joseph  S.  Potts,  Richmond,  Virginia. 

Joseph  Rankin  Potts,  Mechanicsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Tarrance  Potts,  Cochranville,  Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  W.  Potts,  Raymond,  Illinois. 

Lewis  Mitchell  Potts,  Townsend,  Montana. 

Noble  F.  N.  Potts,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Phebe  J.  Potts,  Dubois,  Nebraska. 

Peter  F.  Potts,  Upper  Red  Hook,  New  York. 

Rankin  C.  Potts,  Lewisberry,  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Maben  Potts,  Hartsville,  Tennessee. 

Ross  R.  Potts,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Sallie  Hughes  Potts,  Camden,  New  Jersey. 


Subscribers.  xxxiii 

Sarah  L.  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsj'lvania. 

Susan  L.  Potts,  Germantown,  Pennsylvania. 

Sidney  J.  Potts,  Greensburg-,  Pennsylvania. 

lyieut.  Com.  Stacy  Potts,  Annapolis,  Maryland. 

T.  F.  Potts,  Rocheport,  Missouri. 

Thomas  Potts,  Richmond,  Virginia. 

Thomas  Elwood  Potts,*  Philadelphia,  Pennsj^lvania. 

Thomas  Franklin  Potts,  Morrisonville,  Illinois. 

Thomas  Lincoln  Potts,  East  Liverpool,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Thomas  Semmes  Potts,  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

W.  Ramsay  Potts,*  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania. 

W.  Rockhill  Potts,  New  York. 

Walter  W.  Potts,  Cadiz,  Ohio. 

Wesley  Potts,  St.  Francisville,  Illinois. 

William  Potts,  New  York. 

W^illiam  Potts,  Parkesburg,  Pennsylvania. 

William  A.  Potts,  Davidson,  North  Carolina. 

William  B.  Potts,  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 

William  B.  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Penns3'lvania. 

William  Cooper  Potts,  Fort  Washington,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Edward  Potts,  Mexia,  Texas. 

William  O.  Potts,  Cadiz,  Ohio. 

Wilson  Shannon  Potts,  Lisbon,  Ohio. 

William  Trumperant  Potts,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Weaver  Potts,  Swedeland,  Pennsylvania. 

George  Anderson,  Ameliasburg,  Ontario. 

Mrs.  Margaret  M.  Baker,  Portland,  Oregon. 

William  F.  Boogher,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Dr.  Charles  Potts  Britton,  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 

W.  Ogden  Britton,  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 

Rev.  Edward  L.  Buckey,  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 

Elmer  Beck,  Elverson,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Ida  L.  Potts-Blazer,  Salineville,  Ohio. 

Frank  Thomas  Carson,  New  York. 

Rev.  Harr\'  Roberts  Carson,  Franklin,  Louisiana. 

Mrs.  Anna  Potts-Castner,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


xxxiv  The  Potts  Family. 

Mrs.  Mary  D.  Chahoon,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Elitha  L.  Chamberlain,  Pittsfield,  Illinois. 

George  A.  Chandler,  South  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania. 

Louis  M.  Childs,  Norristown,  Pennsylvania. 

Warren  J.  Clough,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

C.  Howard  Colket,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Frank  Compton,  Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

William  VanZandt  Cox,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Boyd  Crumrine,  Washington,  Pennsylvania. 

Fannie  Louise  Duhring,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Caroline  Adelaide  Duhring,  Chestnut  Hill,  Pennsylvania. 

Lena  Duhring,  Chestnut  Hill,  Pennsylvania, 

Lucy  Bryant  Duhring,  Chestnut  Hill,  Penns^'lvania. 

Dr.  William  Henry  Egle,*  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  John  Potts  Fillebrown,  Cold  Spring,  New  York. 

Mrs.  Helen  Worthington  Gauss,  Colorado  Springs,  Colo. 

Franklin  Potts  Glass,  Montgomery,  Alabama. 

Mrs.  Amanda  Hager,  Jackson,  Mississippi. 

Mrs.  R.  Shannon  Haines,  Mount  Holly,  New  Jersey. 

Mrs.  Anna  Lloyd  Potts-Helm,  Sing  Sing,  New  York. 

Susanna  G.  Hickey,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  H.  Hollinshead,  Oaklyn,  New  Jersey. 

J.  Henry  Hoover,  Norristown,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  G.  A.  Hughes,  Guthrie,  Oklahoma. 

Samuel  M.  Hughes,  Montgomery  City,  Missouri. 

R.  Lizzie  Hughs,  Coatesville,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Susan  T.  Sturdivant-Potts-Hunt,  Mansfield,  Louisiana 

Howard  M.  Jenkins,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Anna  T.  Potts-Jones,*  Conshohocken,   Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Emma  R.  Potts-Jones,  Reading,  Pennsylvania. 

Eleanor  M.  Johnson,  Frederick,  Maryland. 

Robert  H.  Kelley,  New  York. 

George  W.  Leedom,  Southampton,  Pennsylvania. 

Horace  H.  Lefferts,  Southampton,  Pennsylvania. 

William  P.  Lloyd,  New  York. 

Michael  Kennedy  Long,  Cripple  Creek,  Colorado. 


Subscribers.  xxxv 

Dr.  William  Austin  Macy,  Willard,  New  York. 

Charles  Mather,  Jenkintown,  Pennsylvania. 

Henry  E.  Maxwell,  Omaha,  Nebraska. 

Herman  Potts  Miller,  Harrisburg-,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Pctts  Miller,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Emma  E.  Potts-Moore,  Mount  Vernon,  Texas. 

Dr.  Howard  McFadden,  Hackensack,  New  Jersey. 

Mary  McFadden,   HoUidaysburg,  Pennsjdvania. 

Rev.  Robert  J.  Mcllwain,  Clio,  Alabama. 

Mrs.  Mary  E-  Potts- Pratt,  Hemphill,  Texas. 

Roe  Reisinger,  Franklin,  Pennsylvania. 

Eleanore  Potts  Rice,  Pennington,  New  Jersey. 

Ellwood  Roberts,  Norristown,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Charles  W.  Ross,  Frederick,  Maryland. 

Mrs.  Ellen  E.  Potts-Rutter,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  R.  P.  Ryland,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

James  Allison  Searight,  Uniontowu,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Charles  Shaffer,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

R.  Emma  Smith,  Coatesville,  Pennsylvania. 

Samuel  Wesley  Smith,  Cochranville,  Pennsylvania. 

William  Alexander  Smith,  New  York. 

Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Potts-Sower,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Charles  G.  Sower,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Col.  T.  F.  Spangler,  Zanesville,  Ohio. 

Dr.  Frederick  Dawson  Stone,*  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Isaac  Vale,  Webber,  Kansas. 

Jesse  W.  Walker,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Hattie  Borden  Weld,  Los  Angeles,  California. 

Mrs.  J.  Edward  Wible,  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 

M.  Alice  Wright,  Flora  Dale,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  Martha  T.  Yerkes,   Meadowbrook,  Pennsylvania. 

Mrs,  Emma  I.  Potts-Zacharias,  Hillsboro,  Virginia. 


PART  I. 
The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 


Pott  of  Pott, 


PART  I. 

THE  POTTS  FAMILY  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


Arms  of  Pott  or  Potts, 

The  publisher  of  this  vokime  has  received  so  many  inqui- 
ries as  to  the  arms  of  the  Potts  family,  that  it  is  deemed  ex- 
pedient to  insert  the  following  compilation  upon  the  subje(5t. 
/^"irst  of  all  it  may  be  well  to  explain,  that  the  English  idea 
or  usage  of  armorial  bearings  is,  that  they  are  granted  as 
property  to  an  individual,  and  from  him  descend  to  his 
children,  grandchildren,  and  so  on.  Hence  in  England 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  the  arms  of  2,  family,  except  as  the 
sons,  grandsons,  etc.,  of  the  grantee  constitute  his  particu- 
lar family.  That  is,  they  do  not  pass  to  brothers  or  collat- 
eral lines.  The  practice  however  is  quite  different  on  the 
Continent.  So  far  as  the  writer's  investigation  has  gone, 
there  seems  to  be  no  evidence  that  the  early  Potts  settlers 
in  America  were  descended  from  armigerous  ancestors, 
though  they  may  have  belonged  to  collateral  lines,  and 
been  descended  from  a  common  origin  in  a  more  remote 
past. 


The  Arms  of  Pott  or  Potts  are  quite  simple,  being  com- 
posed of  bars  and  a  bend  over  all.  In  the  various  descrip- 
tions given,  there  are  some  variations  in  the  tinBiires  or 
colors,  as  borne  by  different  branches  of  the  family.  In 
some  cases  these  changes  may  have  come  by  reason  of  being 
borne  bj-  junior  members  of  a  family,  while  in  some  other 
cases  it  is  not  at  all  improbable  that  the  copvist  may  have 

'(3) 


4  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

been  at  fault.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  the  branches  of  a 
family  to  difference  their  Coats  with  an  interchange  of  tinc- 
tures. Leaving  out  those  that  are  incomplete  or  manifestly 
inaccurate,  the  following  descriptions  have  been  noticed. 

1  Or  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  gules. 

2  Or  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  second. 

3  Azure  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 

4  Barry  of  ten  argent  and  sal)le,  on  a  bend  over  all  gules,  three 
trefoils  slipped  or. 

5  Barry  of  ten  argent  and  sable,  on  a  bend  over  all  sable,  three 
trefoils  slipped  or. 

6  Barry  of  ten  argent  and  sable,  on  a  bend  azure   three   trefoils 
slipped  or. 

7  Barry  of  six  azure  and  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last 
Similarity   of  Arms  is  generally  understood  to  indicate 

family  relationship,  but  it  is  not  an  ironclad  rule,  as  there 
are  instances  of  persons  bearing  the  .same  surname,  and 
having  very  similar  Arms,  yet  in  no  way  related. 


The  earliest  record  in  the  Herald's  College  of  Arms  grant- 
ed to  any  one  bearing  the  name  of  Pott  or  Potts,  so  far  as 
yet  discovered,  bears  date  of  1583.  In  that  year  Arms  were 
granted  to  John  Potts,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Lincoln's  Inn, 
London,  and  are  fairly  shown  in  the  mar-        r    ^niw=^^^ 

gin,  and  described  as  follows.  '  "^ 

.  ,j 

Arms.     Azure  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of         i  ij 

the  second.  L—  J^ 

This  John  Potts  was  a  son  of  Roger         ^|r^  J 

Potts,  of  Mannington,  County  Norfolk.  ^^^ps^ 

The  Potts'  of  Counties  Bedford,  Durham  and  Kent,  all  bore 
the  .same  Arms  and  seem  to  have  been  of  the  same  family. 
A  branch  of  the  Potts  family  who  settled  in  Kings  County, 
Ireland,  also  bear  these  Arms,  though  they  claim  descent 
from  the  Cheshire  Potts. 


The  Arms  of  Pott  or  Potts.         5 

Ormerod's   History  of  Cheshire,    edition  of  1882,    gives  a 
description  of  the  Arms  of  Pott,  of  Pott  Hall, 
Cheshire,  which  seems  to  be  corredled  from  a   \ 
former  edition  of  that  work.     This  description   T 
is  here  copied,  and  represented  in  the  margin.    ;  . 
See  also  Arms  printed  in  colors.  F  ' 

Arms.     Or  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  [not]  of     ^<^:r::::^^^ 
the  second  [but  gules].  ^~<<^ 

When  these  Arms  were  granted,  and  to  whom,  does  not 
appear,  but  the  inference  is  that  they  were  quite  ancient. 
In  the  Visitation  of  1633,  Edmund  Pott,  of  London,  bore 
these  Arms.  This  Edmund  Pott  was  the  third  son  of  Fran- 
cis Pott,  who  was  a  son  of  Roger  Pott,  of  Pott  Hall,  Che- 
shire. These  Arms  bear  a  viidlet  on  the  bejid  over  the  dex- 
ter chief,  which  is  the  distinctive  differejice  indicating  a  third 
son,  and  proves  that  he  bore  these  Arms  by  inheritance. 

Another  and  more  recent  account  of  the  Potts,  of  Pott 
Hall,  printed  in  Burke's  Landed  Ge7itrj,  edition  of  1886, 
gives  the  Arms  as  follow^s. 

Arms.     Or  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  second. 

These  Arms  are  the  same  as  the  last  mentioned,  except 
that  the  tincture  of  the  bend  is  changed  from  gules  to  azure. 
This  account  states  that  these  Arms  are  those  allowed  to 
PMmund  Pott,  of  London,  the  third  son  of  Francis  Pott,  of 
Pott,  in  1634. 


On  November  19,  161 1,  Arms  were  granted  to  John  Pott, 
of  Stancliffe,  Derbj^shire,  by  Sir  Richard 
St.    George,    Norroy,    as   shown  in  the 
margin,  and  described  as  follows, 

Arms.     Barry  of  ten  argent  and  sable,  on  a 
bend  over  all  gules,  three  trefoils  slipped  or. 

John  Pott,   of  Stancliffe,  was  a  son  of 
another  John  Pott,  and  a  grandson  of  Roger  Pott,  of  Dun- 


6  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

ge,  Cheshire.  On  a  burial  tablet,  suspended  in  St.  Mary 
and  St.  Helen  Church,  at  Neston,  Wirrill  Hundred,  in  Che- 
shire, to  the  memory  of  Thomasyn,  wife  of  George  Pott,  of 
Stancliffe,  who  died  in  1650,  the  Arms  for  Pott  are  the 
same  as  those  granted  to  John  Pott,  of  vStancliffe,  his  father, 
in  1 611,  and  described  above,  except  that  'he  tincture  of  the 
bend  is  changed  from  gzdes  to  sable. 

The  pedigrees  of  the  Pott  or  Potts  famil)-,  as  gathered 
from  various  sources,  are  frequently  incomplete  and  some- 
times slightly  at  variance.  Assuming  that  Roger  Pott,  of 
Pott,  and  Roger  Pott,  of  Dunge,  Cheshire,  were  one  and 
the  same  person,  which  seems  to  be  altogether  probable,  the 
foUovv'ing  skeleton  pedigree  exhibits  the  position  in  the  fam- 
ily of  those  of  Cheshire  and  Derbyshire  who  are  mentioned 
as  bearing  Arms.  The  names  of  those  who  have  been  no- 
ticed as  bearing  Arms  are  underscored  and  a  number  af- 
fixed to  correspond  with  the  descriptions  of  Anns  given  on 
page  4,  ante. 


Roger 
of  Pott 
Cheshi 

Pott=Anne 

re 

Sl'TTON 

1 

Francis  Pott;  ^^ Ann 
of  Pott 
Cheshire 

1  Trafford 

:=Sar: 
1  The 

John  Pott- Brigetta  JodreH 
of  Dunge 

Francis-   Anne 
Pott            Jodrell 

1 
Kofjer 
PoLt 

IcibcU  Price 

Ednmnd- 
Pott  of 
London 

Arms  I 

1 
il;               John  Pott  of— -Elizabeth 
inipson      Slancliffe          Newsani 
Arms  4 

Kdmund  Pott^^Du 

1 
Oeorpie  Pott -Thomasina 

Arms  5             1  --^ewconie 

PMniund  Pott,  of  Pott,  aged  23  in  i663^Floreuce  Bagshawe  in  1668-9 
P.ore  Arms  2 


The  Pott  or  Potts  family  of  Counties  Selkirk  and  Rox- 
burgh, Scotland,  bore  a  very  similar  Arms.  The  only  dif- 
ference from  tlie  Potts,  of  Manington,  Arms,  being  an  ad- 
ditional bar  in  the  Shield.     They  are  described  as  follows, 

Arms.     Barr^-  of  six  azure  and  or,  over  all  a  beiii.!  of  ihe  last. 


The  Arms  of  Pott  or  Potts.         7 

The  Crest.  The  Crest  used  with  these  Arms,  with  the 
exception  those  of  the  Potts  of  Staiicliffe,  are  all  pracftically 
the  same,  though  the  descriptions  of  even  the  same  Crest  by 
different  writers  vary  quite  as  much  as  the  descriptions  of 
the  Arms.  The  Crest  used  by  members  of  the  Cheshire 
Potts  shown  in  the  margin,  lacking  the  viount,  is  variously 
described  as  follows, 

1  On  a  mound  vert  over  a  wreath,  a  wild  cat  sejant,  proper,  col- 
lared and  chained  or. 

2  On  a  mount  vert  an  ounce  sejant,  proper,  collared 
and  lined  or. 

3  On  a  wreath  a  wild  cat  sejant,  collared  and  chained,    j^^^ 

4  An  ounce  sejant  on  a  mount  vert. 

The  Potts,  of  Mannington,  Count}^  Norfolk,  and  London, 
used  a  Crest  which  has  been  described  as  follows, 

5  An  ounce  sejant  spotted,  collared  and  chained  or. 

6  A  leopard  or  ounce  sejant,  collared  and  chained  or. 

The  Crest  of  the  Potts,  of  South  Shields,  County  Dur- 
ham, is  described  as  given  below. 

7  On  a  mount  vert,  an  ounce  sejant  proper,  collared  and  chained  or. 

The  Potts',  of  Bentham  Hill,  County  Kent,  bore  a  Crest 
as  follows, 

S     On  mount  vert  a  leopard  sejant  proper,  collared  and  chained  or. 

9  On  a  mount  vert  a  leopard  sejant  proper,  collared  and  chained, 
reflexed  over  the  back  or. 

The  Crest  of  the  Potts  of  Todrig,  County  Selkirk,  and 
Borthwickshields  House,  County  Roxburgh,  Scotland,  is 
thus  described. 

10  A  leopard  sejant  proper,  collared,  lined  and  ringed  or. 

The  Crest  used  by  the  Potts,  of  Stancliffe,  Derbyshire,  is 
thus  described. 

11  On  a  mount  vert  a  greyhound  couchant  gules,  collared  and 
ringred  or. 


8  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

MoTTOs.     Mottos  attached  to  Potts  Arms  seem  to  be  of 
recent  adoption.     The  following  have  been  noticed.     That 
of  the  Potts',  of  Bentham  Hill,  Kent. 
Fortis  et  astutis. 
That  of  the  Potts,  of  Todrig,  Scotland. 
Vive  et  Vivas. 

That  of  the  Potts',    of  Counties  of   Kings,    Westmeath 
and  Roscommon,  Ireland. 

In  Vinculis  Etiam  Andax. 
The  following  is  also  used. 

Vin(5lus  sed  noii  Vi(5lus. 


PART  I 

THE  POTTS  FAMILY  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


Bv  Wiij^iAM  John  Potts. 


The  Derivation  of  the  Name 

The  origin  of  the  name  of  Potts,  anciently  Pott,  is  .some- 
what ob.scure.  Lower  has,  in  his  Patronymica  Britanica 
London,  i860,  p.  274,  the  following: 

Pott,  Potts.  The  reason  for  the  as.suniption  of  this  name  is  not 
very  obvaoiis ;  yet  similar  words  have  designated  families  of  import- 
ance in  other  countries.  For  instance,  there  were  in  Flanders  in  the 
XV  century,  a  noble  family  of  Po'i'T,  who  bore  a  pot  in  their  amiorial 
coat.  There  was  also  an  Italian  house,  called  the  L,iTTi.E-PoTS,  {  Pig- 
natelli),  while  a  line  of  Spanish  grandees  rejoiced  in  the  thrice-illus- 
trioiis  name  of  Padii,a,  "Frying-pan." — Dixon.  In  the  north  of 
England,  "potts"  is  a  topographical  term  implying  deep  circular 
hollows  in  the  ground.     This  surname  designates  a  Northumbrian  clan. 

Various  evidences,  apparently  not  brought  to  the  notice 
of  Lower,  show  clearly  that  Potts  is  a  place  name  of  one 
who  lived  near  "deep  circular  hollows  in  the  ground." 
The  following  line  from  Tennyson's  Enoch  Arden  would 
seem  to  give  an  apt  description  of  such  a  locality  : 
"■;<-  *  7;-  s  a  cup  like  hollow  of  the  down," 


*  Note.  The  late  Mr,  Williani  John  Potts,  of  Camden,  New  Jersey,  from  the 
latter  part  of  1S69,  until  prevented  by  declining  health,  gave  careful  and  critical 
study  of  the  Potts  family  in  Great  Britain,  andof  the  early  settlers  of  the  name  in 
Pennsylvania  and  New'  Jersey,  and  succeeded  in  colledting  more  material  than 
any  other  who  has  written  upon  the  snbjedl,  particularly  in  establishing  who 
were  the  descendants  of  that  Thomas  Ppits,  who  came  from  England  in  the 
Shield,  and  landed  at  Burlington,  N.J., In  December,  1678.— T.  M.  P. 


(9) 


/■ 


lo  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Bkitain. 

In  Bishop  Percy's  Romances  and  Ballads^'^  \s'e  have  a  cu- 
rious ancient  ballad,  the  story  of  one  Thomas  a  Pott,  a  ser- 
\-ant  to  the  Earl  of  Arundel,  who  falls  in  love  with  his  mas- 
ter's daughter,  and  after  a  tournament  u'ith  a  certain  suitor. 
Lord  Phenix,  who  does  not  find  favor  in  her  eyes,  luihorses 
his  adversary,  defeats  him  and  marries  the  Earl's  daughter, 
and.  according  to  the  ballad,  takes  the  name  of  Arundel. 

It  is  not  generally  known  at  the  present  day  that  four 
hinidred  years  ago,  a  large  ntimber  of  substantial  P^nglish 
yeomen  had  no  famih'  names,  t  Among  the  Parliamentary 
writs,  A.  D.,  127S,  Robertus  atte  Potte,  of  County  Stirrey, 
is  summoned  to  do  military  service.  Anthony  a  Wood. 
Thomas  a  Becket,  Attleborough,  and  At  wood,  are  well 
known  names  derived  from  places  in  a  similar  manner.  Ag- 
ate is  another  family  name  of  a  dweller  at  a  gate. 

The  name  of  Pott  is  to  be  found  in  isolated  instances  in 
different  parts  of  Great  Britain  at  a  very  early  period,  but  it 
is  not  until  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth  that  we  find  any 
family  of  the  name  of  .special  social  importance  .settled  in 
one  spot,  so  that  one  is  able  to  make  a  connected  pedigree. 


The  Potts*  of  Cheshire  and  Derbyshire. 

The  first  of  these  was  that  in  Cheshire,  from  whom  at 
least  three  other  important  branches  seem  to  have  sprung. 
Descent  was  claimed  for  them  from  the  original  stock,  b\- 
the  Herald's  Msitations,  and  the  pedigrees  recorded  in  the 
Harleian  and  Kgerton  MSS.  in  the'Briti.sh  Mu.seum.  Of 
the.se  the  family  of  Stancliffe  became  extincfl  on  the  .spot,  at 
least  in  the  oldest  male  line,  we  presume  in  about   1658,  at 


*  Published  by  Trubiier  &.  Co.,  London,  Edition  of  1.S6S,  VoUinie  III,  by  John  W. 
Hales  and  Kred".  J.  Fiirnival. 

t  See  Lists  of  the  "Yeomen  of  Kent,"  etc.,  whose  substantial  character  was 
proverbial,  in  W.  Durant  Cooper's  work  "  On  the  Rising  of  [Jack]  Cade  and  His 
Hollowers  in  Kent  and  Sussex,  [printed  in]  London,  1S69."  The  rising  took 
place  in  1450. 


The  Cheshire  Family.  ii 

which  time  StanchfFe  Hall  was  sold.  The  faiuih'  of  lyon- 
don,  of  whom  the  eminent  surgeon,  Percival  Pott,  was,  the 
most  noted,  is  still  represented,  we  believe.  This  branch 
descend  from  John  Pott,  of  Stancliffe,  County  of  Derby, 
who  married  Elizabeth,    daughter  and  heiress  of  Richard 

Newsam  in ,  for  his  first  wife,  through  a  Percival  Pott, 

the  second  sou.  according  to  one  visitation.  All  these  take 
their  origin  from  one  Roger  Pott,  of  Dunge  in  the  County 
of  Cheshire.  Arms  were  granted  to  John  Pott,  of  Stan- 
cliffe, November  19,  161 1,  by  St.  George,  Norry,  as  follows: 

Arms.  Barry  of  ten  argent  and  sable,  on  a  bend  over  all  gules 
three  trefoils  slipped,  or. 

In  Ormerod's  History  oj  Cheshire,  revised  by  Thomas 
Helsby.  18S2,  Vol.  3,  p.  775,  is  found  the  following: 

' '  Pott  Hall  was  the  seat  of  a  family  which  assumed  its  lo- 
cal name  from  the  township,  and  bore  for  arms  as  follows  : 

Arms.  Or  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  [not]  of  the  second  [but 
Gules].  Crest.  On  a  [mound  vert,  over  a]  wreath,  [and  therefore 
not  precisely  as  in  the  annexed  cut,]  a  wild  cat  sejant  [proper]  collared 
and  chained  Or. 

"  [»See  V^isitatiotis,  1663.''  The  connecl;ion  of  this  family 
with  the  hall  seems  to  have  been  severed  before  1 1  Henry 
\T,  ( unless  we  are  to  regard  the  following  purely  as  a  trust 
deed?),  on  which  date  Richard  Scarret,  of  Pott,  after  recit- 
ing that  John  Hurle,  chaplain,  and  Ric  Pygott,  Armig'. 
gave  him  a  messuage,  with  an  orchard  &c. ,  called  le  Halle 
of  Pott,  for  his  life,  and  with  rem'  to  the  said  Ric  Pygott 
forever.''  John  Pott  of  Potshrigley,  yeman,  occurs  in  the 
Plea  Rolls,  20  Hen.  VII.  m.  2,  and  was  perhaps  ancestor  of 
another  line  of  the  family,  freeholders  and  gentlemen  who 
continued  here  for  a  long  period.] 


NoTB.  b  Another  coat  (as  erroneously  given  by  Mr.  Ornierod,  for  thi.s  branch) 
commencing,  .-Vzure  two  bar.s  Or,  &c.,  &c..  perhaps  beiongs  to  one  of  the  Junior 
branches. 

NOTK.  c.     Original  in  possession   of  a  lady  of  Macclesfield  in  1875. — tl. 


12  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

"Edmund  Pott  of  Pott,  aged  23  years  at  the  A'isitation 
in  1663-4,  according  to  the  Cheshire  pedigrees,  was  fifth  in 
descent  from  Roger  Pott,  who  resided  on  the  edge  of  Tax- 
all.  This  family  is  believed  to  have  ended  in  the  diredt  line 
in  co-heiresses,  and  another  family  of  similar  name,  now- 
represented  by  Henry  Potts  of  Chester,  esq.,  [1H19,  and 
now  by  Arthur  and  C.  W.  Potts,  esqrs. ,  1881,]  is  tradition- 
ally said  to  be  descended  from  it,  and  alienated  an  estate  in 
the  township  in  the  last  century.'  " 

Wg  shall  give  these  pedigrees  a  record  here  in  the  hope 
that  the  future  genealogist  may  be  able  to  make  a  clearer 
statement.  The  Herald's  Visiiatw7js  are  known  to  be  often 
but  partly  correcft,  for  where  there  are  no  errors  there  are 
omissions,  as  can  be  well  proven  by  wills  and  other  eviden- 
ces. So  we  dwell  upon  the  famih'  of  Cheshire  and  Derb}-- 
shire,  because  from  these  it  is  supposed  ( but  not  proven ) 
came  the  family  of  persecuted  Quakers,  who  emigrated  to 
America  about  1690,  from  Llanidloes,  Montgomerj-shire, 
North  Wales  and  vicinity.  They  may  have  been  here  a 
few  years  earlier,  as  two  women  of  the  name,  perhaps  moth- 
er and  daughter,  Elizabeth  Potts,  members  of  Friends 
Meeting,  who  appear  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1686,  are  believed  to  be  the  Elizabeth  Potts  who  desires,  in 
an  early  deed,  1684,  "  a  lot  in  the  City  [Philadelphia]  and 
100  acres  of  land  (being  the  Headright  of  herself  and  daugh- 
ter) in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  near  the  Welchmen." 
Warrant  at  Harri.sburg.* 

It  is  therefore  with  the  hope  that  the  affiliation  may  either 
be  proven  or  disproven  between  the  Cheshire  famil}'  and 
that  of  Wales,    that  we  give  these  parish  records,  pedigrees 


NoTi;,  d.  Information  of  Henry  Potts,  esq.  A  parcel  of  land,  which  is  now  the 
property  of  Mr.  Potts  and  lies  w"aste,  was  reserved  when  his  ancestor  sold  Cock- 
shntt  Hey.  the  estate  above  mentioned.     Information  of  D.  Hrowne,  esq. 

*  NoTi;.  For  a  copj-  of  this  valuable  deed  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Thomas  Max- 
well Potts.— W.  J.  P. 


The  Cheshire  Family.  13 

and  the  accompanying  wills.       They  have  never  been  pub- 
li.shed  before  in  a  collecled  form. 

From  the  publications  of  The  Record  Society  for  the  Pub- 
lication of  Original  Documents  Relating  to  Lancashire  and 
Cheshire,  Vol.  ^'.  1S81,  entitled  The  Register  Book  of  Chris- 
tenings, Weddings,  and  Burials  uithin  the  Parish  0/  Prestbury, 
In  the  County  of  Chester,  i^6o-i6j6.  Edited  by  James  Cros- 
ton,  F.  S.A.     Prifited for  the  Record  Society.     188 1. 

In  the  Introduction,  page  xiii.  the  editor  Mr.  Crostou  of 
Upton  Hall,  Prestbur>-.  Cheshire,  says,  inter  alia,  "Per- 
haps the  most  interesting  entries  are  those  appended  at  the 
close  of  the  years  1632  and  1633 — the  licences  granted  to 
sick  and  aged  persons  to  eat  flesh-meat  during  Lent."  A 
footnote  here  explains.  "The  keeping  of  Lent  was  en- 
forced by  proclamation. and  an  office  granting  licences  to  eat 
flesh  in  any  part  of  England  was  established  in  St.  Pauls 
churchyard,  but  the  relaxation  was  not  unfrequently  ob- 
tained by  a  gift  of  money  to  the  poor.  In  the  "  History  of 
Henley '  a  list  is  given  of  persons  who  in  38  Elizabeth  '  1595- 
6  )  were  presented  for  eating  flesh  in  Lent. 

The  editor  further  says,  referring  to  the  licen.se  given  be- 
low. •  ■  Francis  Pott  was  of  the  family  of  that  name,  of  Pott 
in  Shrigley  ;  he  was  buried  at  Macclesfield.  Oct.  31.  1638." 
The  entr>-  of  the  license  reads  "  i6j_^.  Licentia  Coinedendi 
car7ies  coiussa  ffratuisco  Pott  de  Pott  gen.  oclavo  die  Januarij.'^ 

Baptisms. 

'575  J^ly  7  Bollington  Ales  Potte 

1626  Dec.  13  Adlington  .\les  Pott  filia  Tho 

1569  May  6  Bollington  .\nne  Potte 

16 1 5  Ang.  17  Adlington  .\nna  Pott  fil  Tho.  Potte 

J  602  Feb.  8  Aderley  Edwarde  Mottershed  als  Pott.  Ijastard 

J 573  April  I  Bollington  Ellen  Potte 

1567  Jan.  23  Boh-nton  ElizaVx:th  Pott 

1633  April  3  Mottram  Elizabeth  Potte  fil  Rogen 

1624  Aprii  4  .Adlington  Henr\-  Pott  filius  Thome 


14 


The  Potts  Familv  i\  Gkkat  Britatn. 


Baptisms — Continued. 

1576  Ocl.  19  Adlyngton  Jane  Pollj^ 
1564)1111621  BoUintrton  John  Pott 
[566  Anj^.  II  Ranowe  John  Potte 
1 60 1  June  4  Adlinj^ton  John  Potte 

1570  June  20  Bollinj^ton  Jone  [Johan]  Potte 

15S6  May  3  Henburie  Jone  Mekiii  [Mc-akinJ  als  Pott  [Potte] 

1,590  Jan.  23  Mace.  Katherin  Potte  als  Hallowes 

1632  June  30  .\(llin><ton  Katherin  Potte  als  Bradshawe 

1575  March  2S  I^awrens  Potte 

1597  Feb.  22  Fallybronie  Lawrence  Potte 
1565  Sept.  29  Bollington  Marj^ai^et  Pott 

1589  ()<5l.  II  Raynowe  Mar^erie  Shore  [Shoare]  als  Potte 

1595  April  2  Bollington  Marie  Dale  als  Potte 

'595  ^ug.  7  Raynow  Marie  Pott 

1569  Jan.  ]  Bollington  RaufFe  Potte 

1634  March  i  .\dlington  Ralph  Potte  fil  Thome 

1630  March  29  [Bollington?]  Sara  Pott  fil  Thome  Pott 

1 63 1  April  17  .\dlington  Sarah  Pott  als  Bradshawe 

1565  Ocl.  21  Hurde.sfield  Thomas  Pott 

1566  Jul}'  9  Adlyngton  Thomas  Potte 
1566  Sept.  8  Bollington  Thomas  Potte 

1577  Feb.  15  .A.dlin.gton  Thomas  Potte 

1598  Feb.  19  Adlingtonn  Thomas  Pott 

1634  Sept.  14  Ranowe  Thomas  Potte  fil  Johis 

'595  Nov.  16  Harroppe  Willm  Potte 

Marriages. 

Nov.  30  Macclesfield  Francis  Potte  and  Klizabeth  Hadfield 

Nov.  1 1  Raynowe  Henry  Potte  and  Grace  Potte 

Odl.  13  Bollington  Henrye  Potte  &  Elizabeth  Nonnansell 

Jan.  2  Bollington  Homfray  Pott  and  Ellen  Dale 

Feb.  9  Ranow  Hughe  Potte  and  Elizabeth  Brncke 

June  7  Adlingtt<n  Hughe  Potte  and  Peniell  Clerke 

June  30  Adlington  Hugh  Pott  and  Margaret  Greastie 

Feb.  25  Raynowe  John  Potte  and  Margaret  Ad.shed 

Sept.  30  Raynowe  John  Potte  and  Anne  Herteles 

Nov.  25  Sutton  John  Potte  and  Katlieryn  Dale 

May  14  .\ddlingtou  John  Potte  and  Anne  INIottmi 

Nov.  27  Raynowe  John  Potte  and  Elizabeth  Hurdesfeildc: 

June  23  Adlington  Jolin  Potte  and  Mawde  Greene 

l-eb.  iS  Chelforde  John  Potte  aud  Jone  Lowe 


1617 
'5«3 
'590 
1563 
15S0 
1582 
1613 
'564 
'567 
1571 
•577 
1 58 1 
1582 
'5H3 


The  Cheshire  I^amii^y 


15 


Marriages — Continued . 


1587  Nov.  27 
1590  Sept.  30 

1595  Dec.  16 
t63[  Jan.  S 

1562  Nov.  I 

1596  July  5 

1597  April  12 
1622  June  16 
1628  Feb.  16 
1593  Feb.  10 
161 2  April  r6 
1 5S8  Jan.  30 

1563  Oa.  10 

1572  May  17 
1567  Ocft.  1 1 

1588  Dec.  18 
16 1 2  Jul}-  30 
1615  Ocl.  28 
157 1  Aug.  4 
1585  April  13 
1593  Feb.  4 
i59SOa.  16 
1610  June  19 
1626  Nov.  12 
r627  Ocl.  15 
1596  July  23 

1 614  Feb.  21 
1625  Feb.  19 

1562  Sept.  17 
1585  May  6 

1 56 1  Feb.  7 

1562  June  19 
1575  Nov.  19 

1573  Sept.  6 
1575  Sept.  25 
1592  Dec.  4 

=  599 18 

1619  Odi.  5 
1 62 1  May  27 
1630  May  17 


Raynowe 

Bollinifton 

Macclesfeilde 

Marten 

Rode 

F'allvbronie 


Adlin^ton 

Maxfeld 

Raynowe 

Potte  Shrigley 

Macclesfeilde 

Hurdesfelde 

Lj'nie  Hanley 

Suttonn 

Ranovve 

Adlinji,ton 

Ranowe 

Rayno^ve 

Adlington 

Marton 


Ra3nowe 
Boselev 


Macclesfeilde 

Macclesfeilde 

BoUington 

Bollington 

Raynowe 

Raynowe 

Addlington 

Adlington 

Macclesfielde 

Macclesfeld 


John  Potte  and  Elizabeth  Hurdesfeihie 
John  Potte  and  Anne  Shrigl3e 
John  Potte  and  Margerj-  Holme 
John  Potte  and  Susanna  Potte 
Lawrence  Potte  and  Elizabeth  Davye 
Lawrenc  Potte  and  Margery  Stubbes 
Lawrence  Potte  and  Margaret  Barlowe 
Lawrence  Potte  and  Marie  Etchulls 
Lawrence  Pott  and  Anne  Lingart 
Leonarde  Potte  and  Ales  Daveniporte 
Leonarde  Potte  &  Katheraigne  Massie 
Rauffe  Potte  and  Anne  Asshencar 
Renolde  Potte  and  Katheryn  Greene 
Richard  Pott  and  Alys  Bramall 
Roger  Pott  and  Elizabeth  Creswall 
Roger  Potte  and  Thoniasyn  Gaskell 

Rodger  Pott  and Shawe 

Roger  Pott  and  Elizabeth  Blackhurst 
Thomas  Potte  and  Ellen  Adshette 
Thomes  Potte  and  Anne  Adshed 
Thomas  Potte  and  Margaret  Johnson 
Thomas  Potte  and  Margear^^e  Clave 
Thomas  Poet  ( ? )  and  Jane  Davemportt 
Thomas  Potte  and  Ales  I'ickford 
Thomas  Pott  and  Sara  Barber 
William  Potte  and  Emme  Home 
Willia  Pott  and  Ellen  Whytycars 
Willm  Potte  and  Anne  Thornicrofiie 

John  Wagge  and  Agnes  Potte 
Willm  Beeche  and  Agnes  Potte 
Robert  Brandreth  and  Ales  Pott 
Robert  Brundreth  and  Ales  Potte 
John  Pownall  and  Ales  Potte 
Willm  Dale  and  Anne  Potte 
Rauffe  Mottershead  and  Anne  Potte 
John  Hyde  als  Warde  and  Anne  Potte 
John  Alwaj-e  and  Anne  Potte 
Hugh  Leadbeater  and  Anne  Pott 
John  Hammant  and  Anne  Pott 
George  Pick  ford  and  Anne  Pott 


i6 


Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 


Marriages — Continued. 


r6o3  Feb.  27 
1566  June  9 

1580  Nov.  30 
15S4  May  31 
i59SJuly3o 

1 60 1  Sept.  28 

1604  Nov.  2S 

1625  July  17 
1561  vSept.  4 

596  Feb.  21 

1598  July  27 

1622  Fel).  25 

1623  June  4 
1613  April  20 

1626  Jan.  10 

1581  April  29 
1594  March  3 
1 60 1  June  24 
1594  July  22 

1622  Feb.  24 
1 63 1  Jan.  2 
1566  Dec.  18 
1583  April  16 
'592  Jan  21 
1592  Sept.  12 

1599  April  23 
1626  Nov.  12 

1605  Sept.  24 

1624  May  3 

1625  Nov.  20 
1629  Nov.  2 
1592  June  18 
1589  May  18 


1595  May  21 
1626  Jan.  13 
1569  May  8 
1585  March  13 
i6io 20 


Slu-ii^ley 

W'ythynton 

Lyme 

Raynowe 

BoUington 

Macclesfeilcle 

Bollin_ijton 

Potte  Shrigley 

Raynowe 

Raynowe 


Whelly 

Raynowe 
Marton 
Bollington 
Sutton 


Poynto 

Macclesfeilcle 

Adlingtoji 

Macclesfeilde 

lyyme 

Maxefeelde 


Lyme 
Macclesfeilde 


Adlington 

Addlington 

Bollj-ngton 

Bollingtou 

Adlington 


William  Horderon  and  Dorothy  Foot  ? 
Randulplie  Holte  and  Elizabeth  Potte 
Rauffe  Adshedde  and  lilizabeth  Potte 
John  Swayne  and  Elizabeth  Potte 
George  Hurst  and  Ellen  Potte 
John  Greene  and  Ellen  Potte 
Hugh  Turner  and  Ellen  Pott 
John  Outfield  als  Day  and  Ellen  PottL- 
R(jger  Allen  and  Ennne  Potte 
Iviward  laxou  and  Isabell  Potte 
William  Bowre  and  Isabell  Potte 
Lawrence  Bennett  and  Isabell  Potte 
John  lacson  and  Isabell  Pott 
John  Shrigley  and  lane  Pott 
John  Collerd  and  lane  Potte 
Willm  Jackeson  and  Jane  Potte 
Thomas  Warde  and  Jane  Potte 
William  Mottershed  and  Jone  Potte 
Robert  Plante  and  Katherin  Potte  als 

vSmall 
John  Collin  and  Katherin  Potte 
Thomas  Holland  and  Lidia  Pott 
John  Haye  and  Mrgaret  Potte 
Randell  Fallowes  and  Margearye  Potte 
John  Osbalston  and  Margean,-e  Potte 
William  Brodehurst  &  Margerv-e  Potte 
Edmund  Clayton  and  Margery  Potte 
Edward  Bostock  and  Margret  Potte 
Richard  Hallenworth  &i\Iargaret  Poot  ? 
John  Smith  and  Mary  Pott 
Reynold  Tumor  and  Marie  Potte 
James  Clarke  and  Marie  Potte 
Henry  Shawe  and  Mawde  Potte 
Francis  Stetwall  and  Thoniasj-n  Potte 

Burials. 

Alice  Potte 
Ales  Potte 
Anne  Potte 
Anne  Potte 
Ann  Pott 


The  Cheshire  Family. 


17 


Burials — Continued. 


11613  March  25 

Gawseworthe 

Ann  Pott 

.1629  Dec.  24 

Adlington 

Anne  Potte  ftl  Thonie  Pott 

1567  Jan.  27 

Bolington 

Elizabeth  Pott 

1627  May  TO 

Bollington 

Elizabeth  Pott  ux.  Thoini 

f.6:,3  May  8 

Adlington 

Elizabeth  Potte  als  Halle 

J  573  Sept..  26 

Bollington 

Ellen  Potte 

35.80  Nov.  22 

Bollington 

Ellen  Pott 

15S1  Nov.  10 

Adlington 

Ellen  Potte 

3592  June  6 

Adlington 

Ellen  Potte 

1629  Nov.  18 

Adlington 

Frauci.s  Pott 

!650  Aug.  30 

Adlington 

Francis  Legh  als  Pott 

1614 28 

Adlington 

Hughe  Pott 

1623  Sept-  14 

Bollington 

Hugh  Pott 

1604  March  9 

Bollington 

Humfray  Pott 

1592  Jan.  29 

Raynowe 

James  Potte 

1560  May  15 

John  Pott 

1564  June  22 

Bollingto 

John  Pott 

159:  May  13 

Adlington 

John  Potte 

161 1  June  3 

Pointown 

John  Pott 

1575  Aug.  2 

Adlington 

Katherin  Potte 

1 591  April  21 

Butley 

Katherin  Pott  als  Fallows 

i6iS  Jan.  29 

Butley 

Katherin  Pott 

1625  March  i 

Bollington 

Katheren  Pott 

1626  Nov.  12 

Adlington 

Katheren  Pott 

1565  Sept.  9 

Bollington 

Margearette  Potte 

1630  March  26 

Aderley 

Margrett  Pott  vM 

1572  April  23 

Mottram 

Margery  Pott 

1614  April  18 

Bollington 

Margarett  Pott  ux.   Hugoni   [in   Tenl' 

■595  J  "ly  12 

Bollington 

Marie  Pott   bastarde                        [p^o] 

1604  April  18 

Bollington 

Reginould  Pott 

1599  July  18 

Adlington 

Roberte  Potte  als  Turn  [Turner] 

1635  Sept.  25 

Ranowe 

Susan  Pott  wyfe  of  John  Pott,  junh' 

1566  Sept.  6 

Bollington 

Thomas  Pott 

1569  July  9 

Adlyngton 

Thomas  Potte  bastarde 

1 59 1  Feb.  27 

Adlington 

Thomas  Potte 

1615  May  8 

Adlington 

Thomas  Potte 

1635  0<5t.  25 

Ranowe 

Thomas  sonne  of  John  Pott  of  H^rropp 

1561  Sept.  20 

Adlington 

Williatn  Potte  bastarde       [the  yongei" 

1565  Jan.  9 

BoUj-ngton 

Willms  Potte 

1602  May  10 

Adlingeton 

Willm  Potte  pauper 

jS  The  Potts  Family  in  Gkkat  Bkitaix. 

From  the  Publications  of  the  Record  Society  of  Lancashire 
and  Cheshire.  Volume  2.  Index  to  Wills  and  Inventories 
7WU-  preseiird  in  the  Court  of  Probate  at  Chester.    From  A.  D. 

Edmund  Pott,  of  Rainow,  Parish  of  Prestbiiry  160S 

John  Pott,  of  Bollin  Fee 1616 

John  Pott,  of  Sftlteroford  in  Rainow 1618 

Katharine  Pott,  of  Lyme  Handler 160S 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Harrop 1573 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Lymm  1597 

Reginald  Pott,  of  Bollington 1604 

Roger  Pott,  of  Hurdsfiel<U  parish  of  Pres.tljiuy 160S 

Ibid.  Vol.  4..  Wills  in  the  Probate  Court  at  Chester,  from 
A.  D.    162 1  to  1650. 

Edmund  Pott,  of  Morley.  Inv 1622 

Ferdinand  Pott,  of  Knutsford,  Admon 1647 

Frances  Pott,  of  Adlington  1630 

Francis  Pott,  of  Pott,  co.  Chester,  gentleman 1638 

Henr>'  Pott,  of  Hurdsfield,  yeoman 1641 

Hugh  Pott,  of  Bollington 1624 

Hugh  Pott,  of  Hurdsfield,  Admon 1649 

Hugh  Pott,  of  Wincle 1624 

Jane  Pott,  of                    Worthington,   Inv 1647 

John  Pott,  of  Ashton  Mondrune,  Inv 1634 

John  Pott,  of  Sutton,  parish  of  Macclesfield 1623 

Lawrence  Pott,  of  Manchester,  yeoman 1638 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Marton 1621 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Marton 1624 

Margaret  Pott,  of  Eccleston,  widow 1633 

Nehemiah  Pott,  of  Hurdsfield,  co.  Chester,  clerk 1649 

Richard  Pott,  of  Brereton,  yeoman,  Inv  1642 

Richard  Pott,  of  Brereton,  yeoman,  Inv  1646 

Richard  Pott,  of  Congleton,  yeoman 1636 

Roger  Pott,  of  Chorlston  (?) 1639 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Hough,   Admon 1650 

William  Pott,  of  Brereton,  a  soldier 1646 

William  Pott,  of  Bury 1623 

Ibid.  Vol.  !§.  Wills  in  the  Probate  Court  of  Chester, 
from  A.  D.   1660  to  1680. 


The  Cheshire  Family,  19 

Ann  Pott,  of  Warford 1677 

Ellen  Pott,  of  Marton 1680 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Rainow 1676 

Roger  Pott,  of  Chiirlshead 1675 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Bull-Hill,  Adnion  with  Inv  1679 

William  Pott,  of  Macclesfield,  yeoman  1663 

Willliam  Pott,  of  Marton,  Inv 1662 

Appendix  to  Vol.  /j.  "  Infra"  Wills  (or  those  in  which 
the  personality  was  under  ^40)  now  preserved  in  the  Pro- 
bate Court,  Chester,  from  A.  D.  1660  to  1680. 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Macclesfield,  Admon  with  Inv 1662 

John  Pott,  of  Mcrtou  in  Macclesfield,  Admon  with  Inv 1664 

Ibid.  I W.  18.  Wills  in  Probate  Court  at  Chester,  from 
A.  D.   1 68 1  to  1700. 

Alexander  Pott,  of  Walston,  Admon 1684 

Caleb  Pott,  of  Macclesfield,  A.  M.,  Admon 1690 

Caleb  Pott,  A.  M.,  of  Macclesfield,  schoolmaster 1692 

Henn,-  Pott,  of  Adlington,  Admon  with  Inv 1683 

John  Pott,  of  Hough,  Admon  with  Inv.  and  accounts 1684 

John  Pott,  of  Wincle,   Admon  with  Inv 1681 

John  Pott,  of  Withington 1683 

Laurence  Pott,  of  Newhey • 1686 

Robert  Pott,  of  Churlshead  in  Rainow,  yeoman 1700 

\Villiani  Pott,  of  Bollington 1685 

William  Pott,  of  Marton,  tailor  1698 

William  Pott,  of  Thornsend 1683 

Ibid.  Vol.  20.  Wills  in  the  Probate  Court  at  Chester  from 
A.  D.  1 701  to  1720. 

Edmund  Pott,  of  Kettleshulme  1702 

John  Pott,  Senior,  of  Marton.  yeoman 1704 

Matthew  Pott,  of  Styall,  yeoman,  Admon  with  Inv 1719 

Sarah  Pott,  of  Lyme  Hanley,  Admon 1708 

Ibid.  I  'ol.  22.  Wills  in  the  Probate  Court  at  Chester  from 
A.  D.  1 72 1  to  1740. 

Francis  Pott,  of  Hough,  yeoman 1725 

John  Pott,  of  Kettleshulme,  yeoman 1724 

John  Pott,  of  Marton,  yeoman 1730 


20  Thk  Potts  Familv  in  Great  Britain-. 

Robert  Pott,  of  Churlshead  in  Raiiunv 172& 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Rainow,  yeoman 1728 

William  Pott,  of  I'lainow,  grocer,  Admon  with  Inv 1728- 

Kdwarcl  Potts,  of  ]\larton,  yeoman,  (See    I739( '737 

Ivdward  Potts,  of  Marion,  yeoman,    (See  1737). 1739 

Jose])h  Potts,  of  Stockport,  gentleman 1726- 

Joshua  Potts,  of  Little  Sankey,  yeoman  1729 

Peter  Potts,  of  Partington,  yeoman 1727 

Samuel  Potts,  of  Poynton,  husbandman 1725 

Thoina.s.  Potts,  of  Heaton  Norris,  Chapman,  Admon 1737 

Appendix.      List  of  "  Infra  "  Wills  (or  those  in  which  the 

personahty  was  under  ^40)  now  preserved  in  the  Probate 
Court  at  Chester,  from  A.  D.  172 1  to  1740. 

John  Potts,  late  of  Kettleshulme  \  733  and  1 734 

Mary  Potts,  late  of  Rainow.  Admon  with  Inv  1731  and  1732 

Susannah  Potts,  late  of  Macclesfield,  Admon  with  Will  1735  and  1736 

Thomas  Potts,  late  of  Macclesfield,  Admon  wiih  Will..  1735  and  1736 

The  following  are  from  lyancashire  and  Cheshire  Wills 
proved  in  the  Prerogative  Court  of  Canterbury,  1650  to  1660, 
and  now  on  record  at  Somerset  House,  London.  ' '  We  ex- 
plained in  the  Introdtiction,  that  no  wills  were  proved  at 
Chester  between  1651  and  1660.  The  names  and  number 
are  given  of  the  folio  in  which  the  transcripts  of  wills  are 
to  be  found." 

Henry  Pott,  Chester 1651     Grey       34 

Thomas  Pott,  Chester 1652     Bower   229 

Thomas  Pott,  Chester T653     Brent     105 

The  following  abstrael:s  of  Wills  have  been  taken  from 
the  Probate  Office  at  Chester,  Cheshire. 

1638.  The  will  of  I'rancis  PoTT,  gent.,  made  28  September,  1638. 
To  Ann  Pott,  his  daughter,  he  gives  ^100.  To  his  son  Thomas  Pott, 
;^50.  Mas  lately  given  100  marks  to  his  sou  Henry  for  "  byndinge  of 
of  his  apprenticeship, "  and  gives  him  beside /"  100  more.  He  had  a 
daughter  Jane  (was  "  weak  in  judgment  and  discretion  and  not  fit  to 
be  left  to  her  own  disposition  " ),  he  leaves  ;^2oo  for  her  use,  which  is 
placed  in  the  hands  of  trustees.  He  had  sons  Francis  and  Thomas  Pott 
( who  was  the  3d  yoimgest  son ).    PVancis  Pott  had  a  brother-in-law,  Rd- 


The  Cheshire  Family'  21 

nuund  Jo^'drell,  Esq.,  and  brotliers  Roger  .and  Edmund  Pott.  He  had 
for  sisters-in-law,  Mrs.  oSIarie  Shalicrosse  and  ]\Irs.  Joydrell.  He  also 
had  a  sister  married  to  a  Brereton.  Had  a  cousin  named  Hugh  fforde. 
He  had  a  tenant  named  John  Pott.  He  gives  his  brother  Roger  40/ 
{shillings].     Signed  in  full,  but  no  seal. 

The  will  of  Franci.s  Pott  is  evidently  drawn  by  his  own 
hand  and  covers  2}^  large  folio  pages.  The  inventory  is 
\'ery  long — saj'  six  feet — made  of  long  .strips  of  thick  paper 
or  parchment  fastened  together.  There  is  a  long  list  of 
nioneN's  due  him,  and  bonds,  notes,  &c.  John  Pott  of  Har- 
rop  owes  him  ^20,  and  another  John  Pott  some  40 ,.  or  50/. 

1638.  The  \^ill  of  Lawrence  Pott,  of  Manchester,  yeoman,  made 
in  the  year  1632.  Wile's  name  Elizabeth.  Had  a  brother  John  Pott, 
who  owed  him  £•].  Had  a  brother  Thomas  Pott.  Had  a  nephew  Ed- 
mund Pott,  and  nieces  Isabel  Pott  and  Elizabeth  Pott.  Had  a  broth- 
er-in-law William  Hill.  Makes  his  mark.  The  Inventory  is  long  and 
on  parchment  strips. 

1649.  The  will  of  Revd  Nehemiah  Pott  of  Hurdsfield,  county  of 
Chester,  made  in  May,  1649.  '^'0  ^^is  wife  Elizabeth,  one  third  of  his 
goods,  &c.,  except  his  books.  He  gives  to  his  son  Joshua,  and  diredls 
that  "  the  child  or  children  which  my  wife  hath  in  her  wombe,  shall 
be  educated  and  maintained,  &c.,  &c.,  until  he  reaches  his  i6th  year. 
He  gives  all  his  books  to  Joshua  and  the  childe  unborn,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  them,  if  they  be  capable  of  learning,  and  be  brought 
uppe  schollars,  or  to  which  of  them  shall  be  a  schollar  :  in  case  the 
other  be  none. "  He  owned  a  tenemant  and  messuage  of  land,  the 
yearly  rental  of  which  was  valued  at  ,^26-13-4.  He  mentions  his  well 
beloved  father-in-law,  Thomas  Ward  of  Henbury,  and  his  loving 
friend,  James  Barber  of  Macclesfield,  and  makes  them  his  executors. 
To  the  unborn  child  he  leaves  ;^44.  His  inventory  amounts  to  ^73- 
6-10.  No  books  are  enumerated  in  it.  The  will  is  sealed,  but  no 
anns.     It  is  signed,   "Nehemi.vh  PoTTS." 

1652.  The  will  of  Thomas  Pott,  of  Marton,  county  of  Chester, 
husbandman,  made  March  2,  1645.  Proved  in  1652.  His  body  to  be 
Ijuried  at  the  Chapel  at  Marton.  He  leaves  a  Legacy  of  ^5  to  each  of 
his  nephews,  John  Pott  of  Marton  and  Roger  Pott  of  the  same  place. 
Legacies  also  to  Thomas  Pott  his  godson  and  to  Jane  Pott  aP  [sic,  al- 
ias?] Rigby,  to  Ann  daughter  of  said  Jane  Rigby,  and  also  to  Edward 
Pott  son  of  Lawrence  Pott  of  Marton.  His  friend  Wm.  Gandy  (j^eo- 
man )  and  Edward  Pott  to  be  his  executors. 


22  The  Potts  Family  in-  Great  Kritaiiv. 

1659.  The  will  of  Wii.ijam  PoTT,  of  Hough  in  county  of  I>erh\-^ 
(husbandman)  made  September  17,  1644,  and  proved  in  the  year  1659. 
Had  brothers  Raynold,  John  and  Francis,  and  sisters  Ellen  Walker 
and  Man,-  Younge.  His  brother  John  Pott  had  three  sons  and  one 
daujijhter,  viz.  John,  Lawrence  and  Thomas,  and  Elizabeth  Pott.  A 
lejjacy  was  left  to  his  kinsman  and  godson  William  Pott,  also  legacies 
to  his  master  Wm.  Bennett  the  elder  and  Wm.  Bennett  the  younger. 
Ra\nold  or  Reynold  Pott  is  appointed  the  sole  executor  of  his  last  will 
and  testament. 

1702.*  The  will  of  Edmund  Pott,  of  Kettleshulnie  in  the  parish  of 
Prestbury,  county  of  Chester.  Gives  to  his  brother  John  j^5.  To  the 
said  John's  eldest  son  and  his  ne])hew,  named  John  Pott,  also  the  sum 
of /,'5  ;  also  to  his  nephew  Edmund  Pott,  (son  of  his  brother  John  1. 
the  sum  of  ^"50.  He  had  three  nephews,  viz.  Roger,  Robert,  and 
Thomas  Pott,  and  four  nieces,  viz.  Katharine  Cotterhill,  Elizabeth 
Pott,  Helen  Gaskill  and  Hannah  Pott,  all  the  nephews  and  nieces  of 
his,  being  the  children  of  his  brother  John.  To  each  of  them  ht 
leavs  ^'5.  He  also  had  a  nephew  Robert  Pott  of  Churlshead  to  whom 
he  leaves  £'20,  and  to  his  four  sons,  viz.  P'dmund,  Thomas,  George 
and  Robert  Pott,  and  his  two  daughters.  Elizabeth  and  Hannah  Pott 
£2  each.  To  his  nephew  Edmund  Pott  of  Ballinghurst  in  Lyme  the 
sum  of  £^0,  and  to  his  daughter  vSarah  Pott,  his  goddaughter,  the 
sum  of  £10.  To  his  kinswoman  Sarah  wife  of  George  Massie  of  Ray- 
nors  ^'5.  To  his  kinsman  Etlmund  Pott,  grandson  of  his  brother 
John  Pott,  £^.  He  had  a  brother-in-law  Ralph  Bowden  of  Lady- 
shambottom.  His  (Edmund  the  testator's)  wife  living  and  named 
Helen.  Will  made  June  18,  1700,  and  sealed  with  the  inipres.sion  of 
an  anchor.  He  makes  his  mark.  Witnesses  Nanna  Pott,  [Query, 
Hanna?]  Edmund  Pott  and  Edmund  Warrington.  Will  prove<l  Sep. 
27,  1702.  Amount  of  inventory  ;^274-6-8.  He  had  a  great  deal  of 
property,  ^i6S-6-o,  in  Ixjuds  and  bills,  etc.  The  bulk  of  his  proper- 
ty went  to  his  brother  John  Pott. 

1724.  The  will  of  John  Pott,  of  Kettleshulnie,  yeoman,  made 
Augast  30,  1 721.  Gives  to  his  eldest  son.  John  Pott,  his  tenement 
and  messuage  in  Kettleshulnie  where  he  now  resides.  John  Pott  the 
jounger  lived  on  one  of  his  farms,  and  he  leaves  him  that  also.  John 
Pott  the  elder  had  a  younger  son  Thomas  ;  had  also  a  son  Robert  Pott 
who  also  had  one  of  his  fanns.  Also  had  a  daughter  Catharine  ;  had 
also  a  daughter  IClizabeth  who  was  the  wife   of    Henry    Kirk.      John 


*  NOTR.     The  exacfl  date  given  is  Jan.  14,  and  reference  being   had   to  the   MS. 
copy,  it  apparently  refers  to  the  date  of  making  the  inventory. 


The  Cheshire  Family.  23 

Fott  tlie  elder  also  had  sons  Roger  Pott  and  Edmund  Pott,  and  anoth- 
■er  daughter  named  Hannah  who  was  the  wife  of  William  Kirk.  To 
-each  of  his  grandchildren  he  gives  two  shillings  and  sixpence,  and  in 
doing  so  he  is  jjarticular  to  have  it  understood  that  this  sum  is  for  his 
grandchildren,  not  his  great-grandchildren,  who  are  not  specially 
mentioned  or  remembered  by  any  legacies.  To  his  godson  John  Bow- 
don  he  gives  two  shillings  and  sixpence.  He  appoints  his  son  Thom- 
as Pott  to  ]ie  his  sole  executor.  The  will  was  proved  April  13,  1724. 
The  inventory  amounts  to  ;{J' 102- 12-01.  The  appraisers  were  Edmund 
Pott  and  Adam  Sloth.  This  John  Pott  had  a  great  deal  of  landed  and 
other  propert)-. 

The  following  is  taken  from  Burke's  Latidcd  Gentry^   7th 
edition,  1S86,  Volume  2,  page  1487, 
"^  Potts  of  Hoole  Hall. 

Arthur  Potts,  Esq.,  of  Hoole  Hall,  Co.  Chester,  J.  P., 
.second  .son  of  the  late  Henrj-  Potts,  E.sq. ,  of  Glenraven,  Co. 
Denbigh,  b.  23  June  1814 ;  m.  12  0(5t.  1854,  Elizabeth, 
only  surviving  child  and  heir  of  William  Wardell,  Esq.,  of 
Abbot.sfield,  near  Chester,  and  has  had  issue  : 

I     Ann  Elizabeth,  died  an  infant  31  July,  1855. 
II     Edith  Wardell-Potts,  assumed,  by  royal  licence,  5  July,  1880, 
the  additional  name  Wardell  before  that  of  Potts. 

Lineage.  The  family  of  Pott  was  for  long  seated  at 
Pott  Hall,  in  the  comity  of  Chester  and  Hundred  of  Mac- 
cle.sfield,  and  a  pedigree  was  entered  with  the  arms,  in  the 
Visitation  of  Cheshire  in  1663,  ^^^^d  that  of  London  in  1634. 
Dr.  Lj'Ons,  in  his  History  of  Cheshire,  de.scribing  the  town- 
ship of  Pot-Shrigley,  writes,  "The  hamlet  of  Pott  gave 
name  to  a  family  of  gentr)^  w^ho  had  an  estate  here  for  ma- 
wy  generations,  now  [18 10]  represented  b}^  Charles  Potts, 
Esq.,  of  Chester.  Pott  Hall,  which  had  belonged  to  the 
family  of  Pott,  passed  successivel}^  to  Edward  Swan,"  &c.* 


*  Note.  Another  authority,  "  John  Neill,  of  Lewes,  Delaware,  1739,  and  Hi.<; 
Descendants,  Philadelphia,  1875."  says  "  This  was  bought  by  Robert  Orme,  Janu- 
ary i6th,  1709,  from  Edniunti  Pott,  uf  the  Inner  Temple,  London.  (See  Court  Roll 
8th,  Anne,  41)." 


24  TiiK  Potts  Family  in  Grkat  Britain". 

From  tlie  \'isitatioiis  of  1634  and  1663,  we  find  that  in 
the  latter  year,  Edmund  Pott  of  Pott,  ag-ed  23.  was  head  of 
the  family,  being-  the  only  son  and  heir  of  Edmund  Pott, 
who  died  1643,  by  Dulciiiell,  daughter  of  John  Price,  who 
wlio  was  the  eldest  son  and  heir  by  Ann,  daughter  of  Ed- 
nuuid  Jodrell  of  Eardsley.  of  Francis  Pott  of  Pott,  (died 
1640),  who  was  eldest  son  and  heir  of  Francis  or  John  Pott 
of  Pott,  by  Ann  widow  of  Mr.   Trafford,   and  daughter  of 

Dickinson,   who  was  son  and  heir  of  Roger  Pott  of 

Pott,  by  Anne  Sutton  of  Rushton,  County  vStafford.  The 
elder  line  ended  in  an  heiress,  but  the  male  descent  was 
carried  on  by  Thomas  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Pott  Hall,  who  was 
father  of  another  Thomas  Pott,  who  married  Mary  daughter 

of  Norbury,  Esq.,   of  Norbury  Houses,  Macclesfield, 

and  had  issue  a  son, 

Thomas  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Ollerton,  near  Knittsford,  mar- 
ried 1696,  Miss  Hannah  Jarwood  of  Macclesfield.  He  was 
the  first  of  his  family  to  establish  the  .spelling  of  the  name 
as  Potts,  which  his  descendants  have  ever  since  continued. 
He  left  issue,  with  a  daughter  Sarah,  married  John  Algeo. 
Esq.,  two  sons, 

I     Charles  Potl.s,    hi.s  heir. 
II     Thomas  Potts,    died  9  Augu-st,  1778. 

Charles  Potts,  Esq.,  of  Ollertou  Plall,  County  Ches- 
ter, the  elder  .son  and  heir,  married,  29  September,  1741. 
Miss  Eliza  Rogerson  of  Derby,  and  left  issue, 

I  Charles,  of  whom  hereafter. 

II  Josiah,  b.  25  April,  1750;  d.  s.  p.  May,  iSiS. 

I  Elizabeth,  m.  Samuel  Lawrence,  Esq. 

II  Anne,  m.  John  Towers  Ivawrence,  Esq. 

Ill  Sarah,   d.  unmarried. 

Charles  Potts,  Esq.,  of  Chester,  the  elder  son  and  heir, 
born  30  July,  1744  ;  married  4  June,  1771,  Anne,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Kay,  E.sq.,   of  a  very  ancient  Eanca.shire  family. 


The  Cheshire  Family.  t^S 

and  by  "her  (who  died  Jime  1796,  and  was  buried  in  Ches- 
ter Cathedral)  he  had  issue,  with  two  daughters,  Sarah  and 
Anne,  who  both  died  unmarried,  three  sons.  Charles  Potts 
died  18  November,  181 7. 

I     Henr3%  of  whom  hereafter. 
II     Charles,   died  1781,  an  infant. 

Ill     Charles,   b.  1789  ;  ni,  Emma,  daughter  of  John  Towers  f^aw- 
reuce,  Esq. 

Henry  Potts,  Esq.,  of  Gleanravon,  co.  Denbigh,  and 
of  Chester,  J.  P,  co.  Flint,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  28  June, 
1777;  married  29  Aug.,  1805,  Anne,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Taylor,  Esq.,  of  Moston,  co.  Lancashire,  and  died  10  Nov. 
1845,  having  had  issue, 

I  Charles,  died  an  infant. 
II  Henr3%  of  Glanravon,  co,  Denbigh,  J.  P.  cos.  Flint  and  Den- 
bigh, High  Sheriff  co.  Flint  1S52,  and  co.  Denbigh  1877,  b. 
1810;  m.  1844  Cecilia  Anne,  dan.  of  Major  Martin,  and  dy- 
ing 22  March,  1884,  left  by  her  with  other  issue,  an  eldest 
son  and  heir,  Henry  John  Potts,  Esq.,  now  of  Glenravon, 
J.  P.  cos.  Denbigh  and  Flint,  and  Capt.  ist  Roj'al  Cheshire 
Militia,  b.  1845. 

III  Arthur,  of  Hoole  Hall,  as  above. 

IV  Charles  William,  b.  Aug.  1815. 

V     Frederick,    of  Horsley  Hall,  co.  Denbigh,  b.  4  July  1S19. 
I     Mary  Anne.  II     Eliza.  Ill     Sarah 

IV     Harriet,  V     Ann.  VI     Emma. 

Then  follows  a  long  pedigree  of  the  Wardells.  Arms  of 
Potts  (as  allowed  to  Edmund  Pott,  of  London,  3rd  son  of 
Francis  Pott  of  Pott,  in  1634)  are  given  as  follows. 

Arms.     Or,  two  bars  az.,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  second. 

Crest.     On  a  mount  vert,  an  ounce  sejant  ppr.  collared  and  lined  or. 

Arms  of  Wardell   (as  confirmed  in  1584  to  Anne  Wardell 
of  Caen  in  Normandy,  descended  from  John  Wardell,    who 
first  .settled  in  France  in  141 7,  and  so  used  in  the  last  centu- 
ry by  the  Wardells  of  Easington,  co.  Durham)  as  follows, 
4 


26  Thi-;  Potts  Faisiily  in  Gkp:at  Britain. 

Arms.     Ar^.,  a  chevron  between  three  buars'  head  couped  sa.,  on  a 
rhief  vert,  tliree  bezants. 

vSkaT.     Hoole  Hall,  near  Chester. 

The  following  exhibits  will  help  to  give  a  clearer  tnider- 
.standing  of  the  foregoing  family  record.s. 

RoCKK  Pott  f  Anne  vSutton. 

Francis  or  JoJm  Pott  ^  Anne  Trafford  nee  Dickinson. 

1 
Francis  Pott -»- Anne  Jodrell. 

1 
Edmund  Pott-^Dulcibell  Price, 

I 
Edmund  Pott,  aged  23  years  in  1663. 

Thomas  Pott,  Esq^ 

I 
Tlionias  Pott  ^  Marv  Norburv. 

I  '  ' 

Thomas  Potts-+- Hannah  Jarvvood. 

\ 

!  I  i 

C.harles= Eliza  Rogerson,  Thomas.  Sarah=John  Algeo. 


Oharles-i- Anne  Kay.  Josiah.  Elizabeth.         Anne        Sarah. 

I  \  \    :      \         i 

Henrys  Anne  Taylor.         Charles.         Charles.         Sarah.         Anne. 


Charles.  Charles  W.         Man,'  A.  Harriet. 

Henry=Cecilia  A.  Martin.  Frederick.  Eliza.  Anne. 

Arthur=Elizabeth  Wardell  Sarah.  Emma. 

Histo>'y  of  the  Ancient  Parish  of  Sandbach,  County  Chester, 
etc.,  by  Earwakcr,  1880.  On  page  91,  in  a  pedigree  of  the 
Raven  famil}'  of  Elworth,  "William  Raven  married,  2d, 
Emma,  widow  of  Roger  Pott,  of  Harrop.       Living  in  1530. 

Karwaker'  s  East  Cheshire,  Past  and  Present,  or  a  History 
of  the  Hundred  of  Macclesfield,  in  the  County  Palatine  of  Ches- 
ter, etc.  18 jj. ,  contains  frequent  mention  of  the  Pott  or  Potts 


The  Cheshire  Family.  27 

family,  and  of  these  the  most  important  will  be  foimd  in 
the  paragraphs  following. 

Volume  /,  page  ly.     In  a  list  of    "  Names    of    Knights, 
Gentlemen,  and  Freeholders  in  Cheshire,  in  1445,"  is  given 
the  name  of  John  Pott  of  Macclesfield  Hundred.       The  au 
tlior  .states  that  this  had  never  been  published  before. 

Ibid.  Vol.  II,  p.  218.  In  the  Churchwardens'  account, 
Pre.stbury  Parish,  1558,  is  "An  interesting  list  of  .some  of 
the  chief  inhabitants  in  each  of  the  townships  at  this  date, 
^SS*^)"  (who  gave  their  consent  that  The  Serage  Silver  [a 
peculiar  eccleasiastical  tax]  due  yearlie  at  the  feast  of  vS' 
George  the  Martyr  [should  be  applied]  to  the  reparacon  of 
the  church. )  [at  Prestbury.]  Among  others  the  following 
appear, 

HuRDSFiEivD.         -        -     Tliomas  Potte. 
Kettleshulme.  -        -    John  Pott  of  the  Dunge. 

Nicholas  Clayton. 
Pott  Shriglev.  -        -     Roger  Potte. 

Reynold  Adshed. 
R.VNOWE.       -        -        -     Lawrence  Pott  the  eld'' 

William  Lowe. 

Vol.  //,  p.  ^24..  Pott  Hx\ll  is  mentioned  earl 3^  in  the 
fifteenth  century,  as  appears  from  a  deed  dated  17  Odlober, 
II  Henr}- VI,  [1432],  by  which  Richard  Scarret  of  Pott, 
after  reciting  that  whereas,  John  Hurle,  chaplain,  and 
Richard  P\^gott,  Esq.,  had  given  and  conceded  to  the  said 
Richard  one  messuage  and  an  orchard  in  Pott,  called  "  le 
Halle  of  Pott,"  with  its  appurtenances,  he  concedes  the 
same  to  Richard  Pygott,  E.sq.,  forever;  these  being  wit- 
nesses. Sir  John  Savage,  Knt.,  Sir  lyaurence  Fitteu,  Knt., 
Robert  Legh,  E.sq.,  Robert  Downes,  of  Worthe,  Esq.,  John 
Sutton,  gentlemen,  and  others.*  At  the  beginning  of  the 
la.st  century.   Pott  Hall  appears  to  have  been  in  the  posses- 


*  NoTB.     From  the  orisrinal  deed. 


2K 


Thk  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britalv, 


sion  of  the  Holland  family,  from  whom  it  passed  to  the 
Ormcs  ill  1718.  The  present  Hall  is  situated  near  the 
clinrch,  but  does  not  show  any  signs  of  great  age.  The 
Prestbury,  Macclesfield,  Taxal,  and  Pott  Shrigley  Registers 
contain  very  many  entries  relating  to  the  name  of  Pott,  of 
which  there  appears  to  have  l^een  naany  families  living  in 
this  distridl.  The  following  pedigree  is  from  the  Cheshire 
Visitation  of  1663,  (preserved  in  the  Herald's  College,  Lon- 
don), with  additions  and  continuations  from  the  above 
named  Registers,  &c.  : — 

Pott  of  Pott.- 

John  Pott  of  Pott,  f 
Difad  })efore   1653.       I 


Francis  Pott  of  Pott,  f^ent.     So- 
called  in  1663.     Bur.  at  Mac- 
clesfield, 31  Oclober,  1638. 


Anne,  da.  of  Edmund  Jodrell  of 
Yeardsley,  co.  Chester,  Esq. 
Bur.  at  Mace.  6  October,  1627. 


Edmund  Pott. 
26  April,  1613. 


Bap.  at  Dishley- 
Died,  1643. 


Dulcibel,  daughter  of  John  Price. 


Edmund  Pott  of  Pott,  gent.,; 
.'El.   23  in  1663.       Married 
at  Taxal  4  Feb.   166S-9,   & 
li\nng  in  1675. 


; Florence,  dau.  of  Thomas       Mar\'  Pott. 
Bagshawe  of  the  Ridge       living  1663 
CO.  Derb}-,  gent.    Bur.  at 
Mace.  29  Sep.  1691. 


Francis  Pott  of  Pott^ 
gent.    Bap.  at  Taxal 
28  January,  1669-70 


John  Pott. 
Bu.  at  Mac 
14  Oc.  1680 


Mary  Pott. 
Bu.  at  Mac 
21  De.  1670 


Francis  Pott.     Baptized  at 
Prestbur}-,   16  Jan.  1697-8. 


Anne  Pott  Dulcibel 

Bap.  13  De  Pott,  Bu 

1 67 1.    Bur  ^  April 

SMari685  l68i. 


Ibid.  Vol.  II,  p. ^5"/.  Under  Kettle.shulme  township  is  men- 
tioned ' '  A  family  of  Pott  of  the  Dunge  also  occurs. ' '  and  a 
foot-note  says,    "  Pedigrees  of  tl lis  family  will  be  found  in 


♦  NoTii.  Arms  are  given  in  connection  with  thi.s  pedigree,  without  colors, 
which  appears  to  be.  Two  bars  and  a  bend  over  all.  Cre.st.  On  a  wreath  a  wild 
cat  sejant,  collaredfand  chained. 


The  Cheshire  Family.  29 

the  Harl.  MSS.  1535,  ^-  4*^^'7-  ^^^^^  2146,  f.  154.  The  iiiq. 
p.  ni.  of  'John  Potte  late  of  Dunge  was  taken  4  Ocflober, 
1563-'  " 

/I'lW.  Vol.  I,  p.  16  et  seq.  A  cop}-  of  a  document,  dated 
September  14,  24  Henry  VI,  [1445],  is  given,  which  "ap- 
pears to  be  full  list  of  those  who  are  liable  to  be  called  on 
Juries,  and  of  course  representing  all  the  families  who  held 
sufficient  land  to  entitle  them  to  be  so  called  upon."  This 
copy  is  from  the  original  in  the  possession  of  Richard  Mas- 
sie,  Esq.,  who  lent  it  to  the  author.  Among  other  familiar 
Cheshire  names  occurs  that  of  "John  Potts." 

In  a  list  of  all  the  Delinquents  in  Macclesfield  Hundred, 
vvritten  in  1648  by  one  of  the  agents  of  the  Parliament,  af- 
ter most  of  the  estates  there  mentioned  had  been  sequestered 
and  hea^'^y  fines  imposed,  is  found  the  name  of  ' '  Henry 
Pott. ' '  The  original  of  this  list  is  amongst  the  State  Papers 
in  the  Record  Office  Domestic  Interegnum  Letters,  Volume 
308,  being  a  list  of  Roj^alists  whose  estates  were  sequestered 
by  the  Parliamentarians. 

The  author,  speaking  of  Chorley  in  Wilmslow  Parish,  re- 
cords some  account  of  ' '  Mr.  Henry  Davenport  of  Chorley' ' 
who  died  at  Lincell  in  Salop,  March  1603-4,  ^^^  "14  daye 
was  Buried  in  the  Chancell  of  Wilmeslowe."  A  foot  note 
.says  ' '  He  would  appear  not  to  have  resided  at  Chorley 
Hall  during  the  later  years  of  his  life,  for  not  only  did  he 
die  away  from  that  place,  but  in  the  Wilmslow  Registers  is 
an  entry  in  Ocftober  1603  'The  10  day  was  baptized  John 
Pott.  Sonne  of  Mr.  John  Pott,  dwelling  at  Chorlej^  Hall.'  " 
"  The  Pari.sh  Regi.sters  begin  in  1558,  the  commencement 
of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  They  are  very  volumin- 
ous, and  are  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  The  entries 
during  the  Civil  War  times  being  fairly  kept  up." 

Ibid.  Vol.  II,  p.  332.  PoTT  Shrigley.  The  Parish  Reg- 
isters begin  in  1630  for  the  Baptisms,  and  in  1685  for  the 


30  Thk  Potts  Familv  in  Gkeat  Britain. 

Burials  and  Marriages  ;  but  the  two  latter  are  verj'  defec- 
tive. The  former  have  evidently  been  transcribed  from 
some  old  memoranda  or  Registers  about  the  beginning  of 
the  last  century,  and  there  are  a  few  memoranda  going  back 
to  1 619.  *  ^-  *  '^  "The  chief  names  are  Pott,"  etc. 
In  a  foot-note  it  is  stated  "  There  are  a  series  of  baptisms 
of  the  children  of  Thomas  Adshed,  of  BirchenclifF,  1619  to 
1635  ;  of  Edmund  Potts  of  Bank,  1640  to  1645  ;  and  Henr^- 
Potts  of  Harrop,  1637  to  1645,  entered  on  the  first  page  of 
the  Register."  On  a  page  facing  page  328  is  given  an  illus- 
tration of  Pott-Shrigle}-  Church,  Prestbury  Parish. 

Ibid.  \\i/.  II,  p.  J  JO.  In  1625.  the  ^lacclesfield  Registers 
record  the  marriage  of  "John  Fletcher,  minister  of  God's 
word,  at  Pot  chapell,  and  Katharine  Pott,  of  Harrop,  of 
this  Parish,"  on  August  15th  of  that  year. 

Ibid.  Vol.  II,  p.  5^7.  Rectors  of  Taxal.  1727,  Dec.  27. 
PMward  Potts,  B.  A.  Presented  by  John  Shallcross,  Ksq., 
on  the  resignation  of  Joseph  Dale.  This  rector  is  probably 
to  be  identified  with  the  Edward  Pott  who  matriculated  at 
Oxford  from  Brazenose  College,  March  22,  1698-9,  aged  19. 
son  of  John  Pott,  (not  Potts),  of  Morton,  [query  Marton], 
CO.  Chester,  B.  A.  13  Ocflober,  1702.  The  only  entry  in 
the  Registers  relating  to  him  is  the  record  of  his  burial 
"  1753  July  9  Edward  Potts,  clerk.  Rector  of  Taxal  buried." 
A  small  brass  on  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  records  his 
death  on  July  5th,  1753,  but  does  not  give  his  age. 

One  Ralph  Potts  of  Taxal,  was  a  churchwarden  of  Taxal 
Church  in  1776.  The  Registers  of  Taxal  begin  in  1610,  and 
with  the  exception  of  the  years  1641  to  1651,  are  quite  per- 
fect. The  early  volume  is  not  in  good  condition,  and  it 
and  the  others  need  binding.  *  '•-  *  ' '  The  chief  families 
mentioned  are  *     *     *     ^  Pott,"  etc. 

A  brief  account  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Potts  is  here  com- 
piled from  the  same  source.     He  .seems  to  have  been  Curate 


The  Cheshire  Family.  31 

at  the  Cliapel  of  Ease  to  Prestbury  (Siddington  township) 
ill  1734,  when  he  signs  the  Registers.  He  was  Curate  at 
Prestbury  from  1737  to  1762,  when  he  became  the  Vicar  of 
Mottram  in  L,oiigendale,  where  he  remained  until  his  death 
in  1778.  His  wife's  name  was  Sarah.  She  survived  him 
and  was  buried  at  Mottram  May  31,  17S1.  They  had  child- 
ren as  follows, 

I     rvlary  Fotts,   baptized.  Oclober  3,  1734. 
II     Elizabeth  Potts,  bap.  January  15,  1737-8. 

III  Pfcggy  Potts,  bap.  March  30,  174S. 

IV  William  Potts,   bap.  April  18,  1750. 
\'     Martha  Potts,  bap.  July  12,  1751. 

IV  Lettice  Potts,  bap.  September  16,  1753. 

\'II  John  Potts,  bap.  December  20,  1755. 

VIII  Anne  Potts,  bap.  January  29,  175S. 

IX  Benjamin  Potts,  bap.  March  17,  1762  ;   buried,  July  30,  1764. 

Ibid.  Jo/.  //,  p.  jjp.  Some  notes  of  the  Pott  family  of 
Cheshire,  taken  from  the  Pedigree  of  Jodrell.  Roger  Jo- 
drelL  of  Yeard.sley,  gent.,  (6th  in  descent  from  William  Jo- 
drell, d.  1375),  married,  2nd,  Ellen,  co-heire.ss  of  Roger 
Knotsford,  of  Twemlow,  co.  Chester.  Roger  Jodrell  died 
May  3,  1547-8,  Inq.  p.  m.  Edw.  6.  Ellen  died,  1548. 
They  left  nine  children.  Edmund  Jodrell  of  Yeard.sley  and 
Twemlow,  Esq.,  the  eldest  .son,  born  1541,  lived  to  a  great 
age.  Buried  at  Taxal,  31  Aug.,  1630,  will  dated  28  April, 
1628.  He  married  Katharine  Kelsal,  (daughter  of  James,) 
1559,  and  had  twelve  children.  Anne  Jodrell,  the  5th  dau. 
married  Francis  Pott  of  Pott,  co.  Chester.  She  was  bur- 
ied at  Macclesfield,  6  October,  1627.  Ednumd  Jodrell' s  3d 
daughter,  Mary,  married  Richard  Shallcross.  Bridget  Jo- 
drell, daughter  of  Roger  and  Ellen,  (mentioned  as  if  the  4th 
child),  married  (i)  John  Pott,  of  Dunge  in  Kettleshulme, 
and  (2)  Leonard  Shallcro.ss,  of  Shallcross,  Esq. 

/did.  Vol.  I,  p.  4.1  J.  Stockport  Grammar  School,  Stock- 
port Parish.        '  1609,  April  8,   Euke  Mason  was  appointed 


32  The  Potts  Family  in  Orkat  Britain. 

Master.  He  does  not  appear  to  liave  remained  here  long,  for 
in  1612  the  Parish  Register  records  the  baptism  of  Elizabeth 
daughter  of  Gualther  Pott,  Schoolma.ster  of  Stockport.  In 
1625  a  new  Master  was  appointed.  1625  June  8,  Reginald 
Pott  was  appointed  Master.  1627-8  Feb.  7,  Edmund 
Clough,  B.  A.,  was  appointed  Master  in  place  of  Reginald 
Pott. 

The  following  entry  is  copied  from  the  printed  volume  of 
the  vStockport,  Cheshire,  Parish  Registers,  page  96. 

November  161 4  Baptised 

6[th]  John  the  soniie  of  Giialther 
Pott  Schohnr.  of  the  Publicke  Scheie 
of  Stockport  BapLi/.erl  the  6th 

From  Cheshire  Notes  and  Queries,  iS86,  p.  63.  Randle 
Holme's  Transcripts  of  Chester  Parish  Registers.  Hoh- 
Trinity  Weddings,  1653,  Willm  :  Pott  and  Sarah  Hetham, 
12  July.  In  the  first  volume,  p.  300,  it  is  stated  that  these 
transcripts,  by  Randle  Holme,  are  in  the  Harleian  MSS., 
2177,  British  Museum.  The)'  are  valuable  as  some  of  the 
early  Registers  are  lost. 

In  the  Topographer,  London,  1791,  edited  by  Sir  Egerton 
Bridges  page  156,  Church  Notes  at  \Vitne3'  in  Oxford- 
shire, taken  June  1660,  from  a  MS.  in  the  British  Museum, 
Against  the  north  wall  of  the  Chancell,  on  a  table  of  black 
marble  this 

To  the  memory  of  Mr.  Lawrence  Potts,  borne  at  Brunhill,  in  Che- 
shire, bred  up  in  Emanuel  College  in  Camb.  where  he  continued  14 
years  ;  was  preacher  to  the  English  Company  of  Merchants  in  Middle 
Surrey  14  years,  and  of  Newland  in  Gloucestershire  14  year,  who  de- 
parted this  life  24  March,  1626.  Lucretia  his  loving  wife,  and  associ- 
ate in  his  travells,  hath  caused  this  monument  to  be  ere<5led. 

Pott  Mont-mExXTS  in  Ormerod's ///^/'(;;t  ^/ r//^5^//r.  In 
the  Church  at  Neston,  Wirrill  Hundred,  dedicated  to  St. 
Mary  and  St.  Helen  :  A  tablet  su.spended  in  the  vestry  is 
inscribed, 


The  Cheshire  Family.  33 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Thomasyn,  daughter  and  heyre  to 
Newconien,  gent  late  wife  to  George  Pott  of  Staiicliffe.     She  dyed  on 
the  27th  day  of  November,  1650.      By  her  he  had  John,  George,   Ar- 
thur, Ambrose,  Thomas,  Peter  and  Samuel,  also  three  daughters,  Eliz- 
abeth, Thomasine  and  Mary,  and  a  sonne  still  borne. 

Arms  Quarterly,  four  coats,  the  first  barry  of  ten  pieces  Argent  and 
Sable,  over  all  a  bend  Sable,  three  trefoils  slipped  Or,  for  Pott,  im- 
paling seven  coats,  the  first  Argent,  a  lion's  head  erased  Sable,  be- 
tween three  crescents  Gules,  for  Newconien. 

From  a  monument  in  the  Cathedral  Church  : 

Henry  Potts,  Esq.,  Novr.  loth,  1845,  aged  68.  vSusan,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  Potts,  Esq.,  and  sister  of  Henry  Potts,  27  April,  1824, 
aged  43.     L,ydia,  second  wife  of  Charles  Potts,  7  Aug.  1832,  aged  70. 

Mr.  G.  D.  Scull  copied  from  a  Visitation  of  Cheshire, 
made  in  161 2,  by  St.  George,  (Herald), — original  in  the 
British  Museum — the  following  note  detached  : 

ffrancis  Pott  of  Pott=Anne  daught  to 

in  Chester.  |      Edmund  Jodrell  of  Yard.sley. 

The  following  brief  memoranda,  taken  from  the  Parlia- 
mentary Writs,  clearly  refers  to  Francis  Pott  of  Pott  who 
died  in  1638. 

Thos.  Leigh  Francis  Pott  died  seized  of  lands  of  value 

Overseer  of  the  will  in  Staffordshire   and  Cheshire  lands  called 

of  Francis  Pot  Runge  [query  Dunge  ?]    or  Runge  Ha\',    a 

house  at  Pot  and  the  Coal  mines  at  Pot  & 

Raynal  in  Staffordshire 

The  following  taken  from  the  Historical  Sketches  of  Non- 
co7iforrnity  in  the  Coinify  Palatine  of  Chester  By  Various 
Ministers  and  Laymen  in  the  County  with  a  Map.  London. 
MDCCCLXIV,  contains  a  brief  biography  of  Rev.  Nehe- 
miah  Pott,  minister  at  Wincle  Chapel,  who  died  in  1649. 

SwETTENHAM.  Upon  the  death  of  Randall  Catharall,  rector  of 
this  parish,  on  February  4th,  1642,  his  son  Samuel  Catharall  was  ap- 
pointed, but  seems  not  to  have  continued  here  for  more  than  four 
years,  for  on  April  4th,  1647,  "Mr.  Nehemiah  Pott,  aged  twenty-four 
years,  brought  certificate  of  his  ability  and  holy  life  from  divers  min- 
5 


;i,4  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain, 

isters  in  Cheshire,  took  the  National  Covenant,  brought  in  his  recom- 
nienilation  from  Mr.  Langley,  was  desired  and  ele(5led  by  the  people 
of  Swettenham,  Cheshire,"  and  was  thereupon  ordained.  He  seems 
not  to  have  settled  at  Swettenham,  because  in  1648  the  name  occurs 
among  the  signatures  to  the  Cheshire  Attestation,  "  Nehemia  Potte, 
minister  at  Wincle  ;  "  and  at  Candlemas  in  1647  ^^r.  Samuel  Langley 
has  "  just  accepted  the  parsonage  of  Swettenham."  The  probability 
is  that  Mr.  Potte  was  recommended  by  Mr.  Langley  to  the  congrega- 
tion at  Swettenham,  and  that  he  ministered  there  for  some  months  : 
but  the  people  were  not  satisfied  with  any  substitute  for  Mr.  Langley, 
l)ut  ultimately  succeeded  in  obtaining  him  as  their  pastor.  Samuel 
Langley  did  not  come  to  live  at  Swettenham  until  after  his  marriage 
in  the  latter  end  of  the  simimer  of  1649. 

Wincle.  Amongst  the  names  of  those  who  subscribed  the  Che- 
shire Attestation  in  1648,  occurs  the  signature — "  Nehemia  Potte  min- 
ister at  Wincle."  When  to  this  statement  we  liave  added  another  as 
brief,  viz.,  that  Mr.  Potte  died  on  January  24th,  1649,  ^"^  was  buried 
at  the  Old  Church,  Macclesfield,  we  have  recorded  perhaps  all  that  is 
now  known  of  the  Puritan  Minister  of  Wincle.  In  the  entry  of  his 
death  in  the  Register  at  Macclesfield,  he  is  simply  described  as  ' '  Min- 
ister of  the  Gospel." 

The  Chapel  at  Wincle  seems  to  have  been  erected  in  1642  ;  though 
the  building  also  bears  date  1647.  From  this  circumstance  it  may  be 
inferred  that  Mr.  Potle  was  the  first  minister  at  Wincle  ;  and  on  his 
decease  it  is  possible  Ihat  no  siiccessor  may  have  been  appointed  for 
some  lime  ;  for  Bishop  Gastrell  records,  May  16th,  1717,  "No  settled 
mainteriance  for  a  minister  ;  but  the  inhabitants  pay  what  they  please 
for  preaching  once  a  fortnight,  when  there  is  any  ;  but  there  has  been 
Tione  for  half  a  year  past.  The  same  authority  tells  us  that  the  Regis- 
ters at  Wincle  date  from  1630  ;  and  that  the  chapel,  in  his  day,  had 
110  pulpit  nor  communion  table,  but  a  desk  at  the  east  end  of  the 
building.  There  was  no  font  ;  but  the  curate  had  bapti/.ed,  though  he 
liad  not  administered  the  Lord's  Supper.  We  have  no  contempora- 
neous references  to  Wincle  or  to  Mr.  Potte  in  our  Puritan  literature. 

In  Earwaker's  History  of  Macclesfield,  Vol.  II,  p.  436-7,  it 
i.s  stated  that  Rev.  Neheiniah  Pott  was  the  son  of  Henry- 
Pott,  and  that  lie  was  baptized  at  Macclesfield  "  18  August, 
1603."  Perhaps  the  year  is  a  mi.sprint  and  should  be  1623. 
The   .same  authoriy  says   that  he  died  in   1650.       This   is 


The  Cheshire  Family.  35 

clearly  an  error,  because  his  will  was  proven  in  1649.*  He 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas  Ward,  by  whom  he 
had  a  son  Caleb  Pott,  baptized  at  Macclesfield  20  April,  1649. 

Earwaker's  History  of  Macclesfield,  Vol.  II  p.  521,  has  the 
following;  On  June  20,  1660,  Thomas  Gold,  late  student 
of  All  Souls'  College,  Oxford,  was  elected  second  master 
under  Mr.  Caleb  Pott,  in  place  of  Mr.  Meyre.  at  a  salary 
of  ;^3o  per  annum.  Mr.  Pott  was  buried  on  Sept.  4,  1690, 
when  the  following  epitaph,  on  a  small  brass  plate,  now  in 
the  baptistry,  was  placed  to  his  memory  : — 

Caleb  Pott  A.  M.  fil.  Neh  :  Pott  de 
Hvrdsfield  Clerici  &  Eliz.  vxoris  eiiis 
cum  per  20  annos  gymnasiarcha 
opre  Knotsfordiffi,  Sandbach,  Novo 
Castro  :  Staf .  Audlcm  &  Macclesf  : 
desudasset  et  doctrinse  fauter  pa 
trise  charissimus,  ccelebs  obijt 
Sep.  2  A.  D,  1690  an.  aet.  42 
Josua  Walker  rector  ec'*"  de  Billing 
Magna  Northamp.  f rater  uterinus  pos.f 

Caleb  Pott  was  baptized  at  Macclesfield  on  April  20,  1649, 
the  son  of  Nehemiah  Pott,  of  Hurdsfield,  Clerk.  A  notice 
of  his  father  will  be  found  on  page  437.  His  mother  ap- 
pears to  have  married  for  her  second  husband,  Mr.  John 
Walker,  and  was  father  of  Rev.  Joshua  Walker,  who  erect- 
ed the  monument  to  his  half  brother.  \  I  have  a  contempo- 
rary copy  of  the  Rev.  Joshua  Walker"  s  marriage  articles, 
dated  17  Dec,  1689,  on  his  marriage  with  Christiana  Stave- 
ley,  daughter  of  Thomas  Staveley,  late  of  Leicester,   Esq., 


*    See  pages  18  and  21,  ante. 

t  Translated.  Caleb  Pott,  A.  M.,  the  son  of  Nehemiah  Pott,  of  Hurdsfield. 
clerk,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  when  he  had  laboured  for  20  years  as  a  schoolmas- 
ter, at  Knutsford,  Sanbach,  Newcastle  in  Staffordshire,  Audlem,  and  Macclesfield, 
an  upholder  of  true  religion,  and  a  true  lover  of  his  native  covuitry,  died  a  bach- 
elor, Sept.  2,  1690,  aged  42.  Joshua  Waker,  recflor  of  the  church  01  Great  Billing, 
in  Northanipton.shire,  his  uterine  brother,  placed  this. 

I  Note.  In  his  will  [See  p.  21,  ante,]  Rev.  Nehemiah  Pott  mentions  his  son 
Joshua.  It  seems  more  probable  that  Mr.  Pott  married  the  widow  of  Mr.  Walker, 
and  that  she  had  a  son  Joshua  by  her  first  husband. 


36  The  Potts  Family  ix  Grkat  Britain. 

deceased.     It  mentions  Caleb  Pott  who  is  then  described  as 
of  Audleni,  gent. 

the  potts'  of  .STANCUFFE,  DERBYSHIRE. 

An  important  branch  of  the  family  was  long  seated  at 
vStancliffe  Hall  in  Derb3'shire  A  pedigree  of  this  branch  is 
shown  facing  this  page,  and  some  miscellaneous  memoranda 
gathered  from  various  sources  are  also  here  given. 

Stancijffe  Hall.  The  Reliquary,  Vol.  IV,  page  201, 
mentions  Stancliffe  Hall,  Derbyshire,  which  belonged  to 
Ralph  de  Darley,  and  from  him  passed  to  the  Columbell  fam- 
ily in  1370,  from  whom  it  passed  successively,  by  female 
heirs  through  the  families  of  Newsam  and  Pott  to  Sir  John 
Digby,  who  sold  it  to  Robert  Steere.  In  17 18  it  was  pur- 
chased b)'  Greensmith,  and  in  1799  was  sold  to  Heathcote, 
from  which  family  it  passed  by  sale  to  its  present  owner 
Mr.  Joseph  Whitworth. 

The  Reliquary,  Vol.  VII,  p.  159.  24  May,  54  Elizabeth, 
[1601].  Indenture  of  sale,  whereby  John  Pott,  the  elder 
of  Stanclyffe,  in  the  county  of  Derby,  Gent.,  conveyed  to 
Robert  Bagshaw,  of  Dalehead,  in  the  parish  of  Tyddeswall, 
and  county  aforesaid,  yeoman,  lands  and  buildings  in  the 
village  of  Hill,  Wormhill,  Hardwickwall  and  Tunsted,  all 
in  the  county  of  Derby. 

The  Reliqtiary,  Vol.  XI,  p.  256.  Quoting  the  Egerton 
MS.  996  Derbyshire,  "The  names  of  those  that  were  Dis- 
claymed  by  Ri.  St.  George,  Norroy,  161 1,"  Among  others 
is  "John  Pott  of  Stancliffe." 

hidex  to  the  Additionl  MS.  with  those  of  the  Edgerton  Col- 
lection, preserved  in  the  British  Museum  and  acquired  in 
the  years  1 783-1835.  John  Pott  of  Stanchff  Hall,  Bond  to 
Marg  Columbell  1578.     6702  f.  71. 

The  Reliquary,  Vol.  XV,  p.  167.      Pedigree  of  the  Kin- 


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The  Derbyshire  Family,  37 

der  family,  taken  from  the  Ashmole  MS.  788,  folio  165. 
Nicholas  Kinder,  Eliz.  18,  [1576],  rad.  Emm.  dau.  of  Law- 
rence Pott  in  Berd  com.  Derb. 

In  The  Reliquary,  Vol.  VI,  pp.  45-7,  is  a  curious  dogger- 
el of  An  Unpublished  Elegy  By  Leonard  Wheatcroft,  1672, 
a  local  schoolmaster  of  Derbj'shire.  It  shows  there  was  a 
divine  named  Pot  of  this  famil)^  who  died  some  years  before 
1672,  the  3^ear  in  which  it  was  written.  The  following  are 
verses  8  and  9. 

Then  on  the  hills  I  came  to  Darley  Hall, 

To  heare  that  music  in  those  ashes  tell 

Listening  awhile,  I  not  being  pleased  well, 

Thought  I  where  is  my  pretty  Cullen-bell  * 

Whose  name  and  fame  made  all  this  vale  once  sound, 

But  now  that  honour's  buried  under  ground. 

Besides  your  Parsons  of  Divinity, 

As  Pain  and  Pot,  Edwards  and  Moseley 

All  foure  divines  and  men  of  noble  birth 

All  dead  and  gone  and  buried  in  the  earth ; 

How  can  I  chuse  but  must  lament  to  see 

My  friends  all  gone  who  did  make  much  of  me. 

The  Reliquary,  \o\.  VI,  p.  40,  gives  the  following  armo- 
ry of  Pott  of  Stancliffe,  [Derbyshire] . 

Arms.  Barry  of  ten,  argent  and  sable,  on  a  bend  azure  three  tre- 
foils or. 

Smith  of  Oldhaugh.  The  following  is  extradled  from 
the  Visitation  of  Cheshire  in  1580. 

Walburg  Smith  vx"^  [uxor]  Jn"  Pott  of  StayncliflF  in  com.  Darby, 
daughter  of  Rafe  Smith  of  Oldhaugh,  bayliffe  of  Warmincham  [who] 
died  27  June,  1594,  and  Alice  daughter  of  Otwell  Shawcross  of  Stow- 
shaw,  died  in  Odtober  1580. 


*  Note.  Columbell,  Nether- Hall  Darley  Dale  was  for  many  j-ears  the  chief  seat 
of  the  Columbell  family  who  held  it  till  the  death  in  i673of  Johii  Columbell,  whose 
heiress  married  Marbury. 


38  The  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britain. 

The  Potts'  of  London. 

Branches  of  the  family  are  foinid  in  London,  some  of 
whom  are  known  to  be  of  the  Cheshire- Derbyshire  family, 
while  the  family  affiliations  of  others  have  not  been  deter- 
mined. 

The    following-   pedigree   has   been  extracted    from    'Flic 

Harleimi  Society  Publications,  No.  1476,  folio  448'',  Visitation 

of  London  made  in  the  years  1633,    1634  and  1635,  by  S"" 

Henry  S'  George,   Kt.,    Richmond  Herald,   &  Deputy  and 

Marshall  to  S''  Richard  S'  George,  K*,  Clarencieux  King  at 

Armes. 

Pott.      Cheape  Ward. 

Roger  Pott  of  Pott=ANNA  daughter  of  — — -  Sutton  of  Rushloii 
Co.  Chester.  I      in  Co.  Chester. 


Francis  Pott  of  Pott=Anne   daughter  of Dickenson  of  County  of 

Co.  Chester.  I      Lancashire,  the  reHct  of Traflford. 


Francis  Pott  of     Roger  Pott  of  Edmund  Pott  of=Sarah  daughter  of 

Pott  Co.  Ches-     Norton  in  Co.  London  Haber-    I    Anthony  Thomp- 

ter.     1st  son.        StafTordshire.  dasher.  3d  son.     |    son  of  Co.  Cani- 
2nd  son.  I    bridgshire. 


Edmund  Pott  Sarah  Pott 

of  London.  of  London. 

Arms  are  drawn  which  appear  to  have  been  granted  by 
'  'a  Patent  vuder  the  hand  of  Sir  Richard  St.  George  K'  then 
Norry  King  of  Armes,  Nov.  19,  1611."  They  appear  to  be 
Barry  of azure  and  sable,  on  a  bend  three,  etc. 

The  following  brief  pedigree  is  taken  from  The  Harleian 
Society  Publications,  No.  1476,  folio  197,  Visitations  of  Lon- 
don, made  in  the  years  1633  and  1634,  by  Sir  Richard  St. 
George,  Norroy  King  of  Arms. 


Errors  Corrected.  38)4 

Through  an  error  in  the  make-up  of  pages  38  and  39,  the 
descriptions  of  the  arms  became  transposed.  The  following 
is  a  more  accurate  exhibit  of  these  pedigrees. 

Pott.     Cheape  Ward. 

Roger  Pott  of  Pott=ANNA  daughter  of vSutton  of  Rushton 

Co.  Chester.  I      in  Co.  Chester. 


I'Vaiicis  Pott  of  Pott=Aiine  daughter  of Dickinson  of  County  of 

Co.  Chester.  1      Lancashire,  relicl  of Trafford. 


I'rancis  Pott  of     Roger  Pott  of      Edmund  Pott  of=Sarah  daughter  of 


Pott  Co.  Ches-     Norton  in  Co.      London  Haber- 
U-r.     1st  son.         Staffordshire,      dasher.    3d  son 
2nd  son. 


Anthony  Thomp- 
son of  Co.  Cam- 
bridgeshire. 


Ednmnd  Pott  Sarah  Pott 

of  London.  of  London. 

Arms  are  given  in  conne<5lion  with  this  pedigree  as  fol- 
lows. 

Arms.     Or,  two  bars  azure,  over  a  bend  gules. 
Crkst.     .\n  ounce  sejant  on  a  mount  vert. 


Pott.     Limestreete. 

John  Pott  of  vStanclyffe=:Ki.BZ.\Bp;TH,  daughter  &  heiress 
County  of  Derbyshire    I      of  Ric^  Newsam  of  Stanclyfife 
Countv  Derbv. 


Pt-rcival  Pott  2nd  son=Hesther,  daugli''  of  Roll'  Pennington  of  Hen- 
I/judon.     (1633).      I      don,  County  Essex. 


Percival  Pott  .son  and  heir.     Loudon. 

In  connection  with  this  pedigree,  arms  are  drawn  which 
appear  to  have  been  granted  by  "a  patent  vnder  the  hand 
of  Sir  Richard  St.  George  K'  then  Norry  King  of  Armes, 
Nov.  9,  161 1."     They  appear  to  be. 

Arms.     Barry  of azure  and  sable,  on  a  bend three,  etc. 


The  Family  in  London.  39 

Pott.     Limestreete. 

John  Pott  of  Stancl3'ffe=Ei^iZABETH,  daughter  &  heiress 
Count}'  of  Derb^-shire         I      of  Ric*  Newsam  of  Stanclyffe 
I       County  Derby. 

Percival  Pott  2nd  son=Hesther,  daugh'"  of  Rob*  Pennington  of  Hen- 
London.     (1633.)      I      don,   County  Essex, 


Percival  Pott  son  and  heir.   London. 

Arms  are  given  in  connecftion  with  this  pedigree  as  fol- 
lows, 

Arms.     Or,  two  bars  azure,  over  all  a  bend  gules. 
Crest.     An  ounce  sejant  on  a  mount  vert. 

From  the  Harleian  Society  Publications,  i8jy.  Marriage 
Licences,  London,   1520-16 10. 

Page  23.  1561  Dec.  15.  Michael  Pott,  of  Chigwell,  &  Marger}' 
Warner,  of  Barking;  Genl.  Lic[ence.] 

Page  49.  1571  July  28.  Lancelot  Pottes  &  Martha  Buyes  of  City  of 
Lond :  Gen.  Lie. 

Page  79,  1577-8  Feb.  14,  Peter  Pott  &  Mary  Lyme,  Spinster,  of 
Citj'  of  Lond. ;  at  St.  Nicholas  Aeon. 

Page  167.  1587-8  Feb.  12.  Edvi'ard  Pottes,  Yeoman,  of  St.  Botolph, 
Bishopsgate,  &  Rosa  Josua,  Avidow  of  St.  Michael  Bassinghall  relict  of 
Richard  Josua  late  of  the  same  place.     Gen.  Lie. 

Page  72.  1576  Sep.  29.  William  Vallence  &  Martha  Pottes,  Widow, 
of  St.  Dunstan  in  the  West  to  marry  there. 

Allegations  for  Marriage  Licences  issued  by  the  Dean  and 
Chapter  of  Westminster,  1558  to  iSpp  :  etc.,  Extracted  by  {the 
late)  Col.  Joseph  Lemuel  Chester,  LL.  D.,  etc.,  contains, 

Page  107.  1665  June  3.  William  Potts  of  St.  Clement  Danes,  Gent. 
Wid"".  ab'  64  &  Sarah  Hilliard  of  St.  Fosters,  London,  Widow,  ab'  56  ; 
at  St.  Mary  Mountshaw,  Lond. 

Marriage  Licences  {or  Allegations)  at  the  Facility  Office  of 
the  Archbishop  of  Cayiterbtcry  at  London.     Harleian  Pub. 

Page  121.  1 67 1  Dec.  25.  Edmund  Pott,  of  the  town  of  Nottingham, 
Bach"",  26  &  Jane  Williams  of  All  Hallows  Barking,  London,  Sp'',  30, 
her  parents  dead  ;  at  St.  Bartholomew  the  Less,  London. 


40  The  Potts  Family  is  Great  Britain-. 

Licences  issued  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  1611  to  r8i8,  etc., 
includes  the  following, 

Pajfe  50.  1617  April  26.  William  Gerard,  Esq.,  of  Gray's  Inn, 
Baclr,  29,  &  Judith  Potts,  of  St.  Andrews  Holborn,  Widow,  25,  relict 
of  Farsard  Potts,  late  of  Charlegrove,  Beds.,  Gent.  deci.  of  St.  Pan- 
eras,  alias  Kentish  towTi. 

The  Appendix  to  the  6th  Report  of  the  Historical  MSS. 
Commission  has  the  following"  brief  title  of  a  manuscript, 
the  original  of  which  appears  to  l^e  in  the  Colle<5tion  of  the 
House  of  Lords. 

Witnesses  examined  concerning  the  speeches  against  the  House  of 
Lord's,  Anno  1644.     Examination  of  Edmund  Pott,  haberdasher  No. 

The  Registers  of  St.  Peters,  Cornhill,  London,  contain 
these  entries. 

Page  119.  1567  August  19.  Burying  of  Misteris  Pott  Widdow  the 
19th  of  Augu.st. 

Page  260.  1655  July  24.  William  Gillye  Lining  draper  &  Sarah 
Pott  by  Christopher  Packe  Alderman  &  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
peace  in  London. 

The  Registers  of  St.  Georges,  Hanover  Square,  contain 
many  Potts  marriages  between  1725  and  1787.  On  Feb.  12, 
1775,  an  Edmond  Potts  married  Elizabeth  Law. 

The  Registers  of  Canterbury  Cathedral  contains  these  en- 
tries of  marriages, 

1688  October  4,  Joseph  Powell  and  Ann  Potts,  both  of  St.  Margar- 
etts  in  Canterbury. 

1742  Feb.  28,  John  Pott  and  Ann  Moverly  of  Eastry,  Pr.  Licence. 

From  the  Registers  of  the  "  Merchant  Taylor's  School," 
[London],  from  1 562-1 699. 

i6ioJune  11.  Nat.  Potte  was  appointed  to  Roger  March  of  Dow- 
gate,  Merchant  Taylor,  and  is  described  as  son  of  Walter  Pott  of  As- 
ton, Co.  Oxen.     He  was  afterwards  of  Alderly  and  died  28  Sep.,  1655. 

1631  Dec.  II.  Nathaniel  Pott,  b.  Sep.  — ,  1622.  Thomas  Potte  (or 
Potts),  b.  May,  — ,  1623. 


The  Family  in  London.  41 

Extracled  from  the  Registers  of  the  Church  of  St.  Mary 
Mounthaw,  London,  now  kept  in  the  Church  of  St.  Nicho- 
las Cole  Abbe}'.-'- 

Nathaniel  Potts  and  Siballa  Gibson,  married  21  May,  1630. 

Andrew  Potts,  Gent.,  of  Westminster,  and  Hellenn  Joice,  of  Nev.- 
Windsor,  County  of  Berkshire,  were  married  on  the  9th  day  of  Sep- 
tember in  the  year  One  Thousand  Six  hundred  and  Eight.     [1608]. 

Joseph  Potts  and  Mary  Dangerfield  were  married  by  Licence  by  Mr. 
Meriton,  28  December,  1658. 

Extradts  from  Book  of  Licences  &  Permits  to  pass  abroad 
to  New  England  and  to  the  Low  Countries,   &c. 

Henry  Potts,  transported  to  Flanders,  to  serve  under  Captain  Theor- 
old,  and  took  the  oath  of  allegience.     Nov.  20,  1632. 

John  Potts,  26  years  old,  to  pass  to  Flushing  (Holland),   Dec.   1634. 

John  Potts,  26  years  old,  dwelling  in  Flushing.  Ultima  die  Decern. 
1634. 

John  Potts,  aged  43,  resident  at  Wolverhampton  in  Staffordshire,  to 
pass  to  Leghorn.     April  2,  1635. 

SOME    BRIEF    BIOGRAPHIES. 

The  following  brief  biographical  sketches  have  in  the 
main  been  abstracted  from  the  Dictionary  of  Natio7ial  Biog- 
raphy, by  Sidney  Lee.     i8p6.     Vol.  XLVI,  page  207. 

Percivael  Pott.  He  was  a  native  of  London,  and  by 
occupation  a  scrivener.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Sir 
James  Houblon,  she  being  then  a  widow  with  one  daughter. 
He  lived  but  a  few  years  after  his  marriage,  dying  in  171 7. 
He  left  his  widow  with  a  very  inadequate  support.  His 
widow  and  her  children  were  assisted  by  Dr.  Wilcox,  Bishop 
of  Rochester,  a  distant  relative. 

Percivall  Pott,  M.  D.  (1714-1788).  Percivall  Pott, 
Jr.,   the  eminent  surgeon,   the  only  son  of  the  foregoing, 

*  Note,  St.  Mary  Mounthaw  was  burnt  in  1666,  and  the  present  church  of  St. 
Nicholas  Cole  Abbey  was  eredted  on  its  site.  Redlor,  Henrj'  Stebbings,  1875.— G. 
D.  Scull. 


42  TiiK  Potts  Family  ix  Gkkat  Britain. 

was  l)orn  6  January,  171 3-4,  in  that  part  of  Threadneedle 
Street,  which  is  now  covered  by  the  Bank  of  England. 

He  entered  as  a  student  of  surgery  under  Dr.  Edward 
Xourse,  with  whom  he  served  seven  years.  He  .seems  to 
liave  gained  a  professional  reputation  at  an  early  period 
in  his  career.  A  minute  book  now  in  possession  of  the 
Barbers'  Company  has  this  record, 

7  Sept.  1736.  Percivall  Pott  was  admitted  into  freedom  of  the  Com- 
pany by  service,  vipon  testimony  of  his  master  and  sworn. 
Later  on  the  same  day  he  received  his  diploma,  testifying  to 
his  skill  and  empowering  him  to  practice.  After  filling  sev- 
eral positions  he  was,  on  the  14  March,  1744,  made  Assi.st- 
ant  Surgeon  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  and  became  full 
Surgeon  on  30  November,  1749.  He  introduced  many  im- 
provements into  surgery,  rendering  the  practice  more  hu- 
mane and  less  painful  to  both  patient  and  surgeon. 

In  1756  an  accident  befell  him  which  rendered  his  name 
of  world-wide  fame     The  following  is  the  account  given. 

As  he  was  riding  in  Kent  Street,  Southwark,  he  was  thrown  from 
his  horse  and  suffered  a  compound  fracture  of  the  leg,  the  bone  being 
forced  through  the  integuments.  Conscious  of  the  dangers  attendant 
on  fractnres  of  tliis  nature,  and  thoroughly  aware  how  much  the}- 
may  be  increased  by  rough  treatment  or  improper  position,  he 
would  not  suffer  himself  to  he  moved  until  he  had  made  the  necessary 
disposition.  He  sent  to  Westminster,  then  the  nearest  place,  for  two 
chairmen  to  bring  their  poles,  and  patientl}'  lay  upon  the  cold  pave- 
ment, it  being  in  the  month  of  January,  till  they  arrived.  In  this  sit- 
uation he  purchased  a  door  to  which  he  made  them  nail  the  poles. 
Wlien  all  was  ready  he  caused  himself  to  be  laid  upon  it,  and  was 
carried  a  long  distance  to  where  he  lived  near  St.  Paul's. 

At  the  consultation  of  surgeons  the  case  was  thought  to  be  .so  des- 
perate, as  to  require  innnediate  amputation.  Mr.  Pott  being  con- 
vinced that  no  one  could  be  a  proper  judge  in  his  own  case,  submitted 
to  their  opinion,  and  the  proper  instruments  were  actuallj'  gotten 
read}',  when  Mr.  Nourse,  (his  former  master  and  colleague),  who  had 
been  prevented  from  coming  sooner,  fortunately  entered  the  room. 
After  examining  the  limb  he  was  convinced  there  was  a  pos.sibilit3'  of 
saving  it.     An  attempt  to  save  it  was  agreed  upon  and  succeeded. 


The  Family  in  London.  43 

The  term  "Pott's  fracture"  is  still  applied  to  that  particu- 
lar variety  of  broken  ankle.  He  was  the  author  of  several 
treatise  which  revolutionized  the  practice  of  surgery.  He 
v,'as  elected  to  several  honorary  positions. 

In  1746  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Robert  Crutten- 
den,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  one  of 
whom  married  Sir  James  Earle.  His  kindness  of  heart  was 
proverbial.  He  was  a  man  of  high  charadler  and  blameless 
life.  Several  portraits  are  in  existance,  ])ut  the  chief  one  is 
in  the  Great  Hall  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  being  a 
life  .size  three  quarter  length  in  oils,  seated. 

Joseph  Holden  Pott,  Archdeacon  of  London,  (1759- 
1847).  He  was  son  of  Percivall  Pott,  the  surgeon,  and 
was  born  in  1759.  He  began  his  education  at  Eton,  and 
from  thence  at  an  earl 3'  age  was  sent  to  St.  John's  College, 
Cambridge.  He  graduated  B.  A.  in  1780,  and  proceeded 
to  M.  A.  in  1783.  Taking  holy  orders,  he  was  collated  by 
Bishop  Thurlow,  formerly  dean  of  vSt.  Paul's,  to  the  pre- 
bend of  Welton-Brinkhall,  in  Lincoln  Cathedral,  17  March, 
17S5.  In  1787  he  became  re<5lor  of  St.  Olave,  Old  Jewry, 
and  St.  Martin,  Ironmonger  Lane.  He  was  appointed  arch- 
deacon of  St.  Alban's  on  8  January,  1789.  After  filling 
numerous  positions  he  died  unmarried  16  Febuar}',  1847,  ^^ 
his  residence  in  Woburn  Place,  Bloomsbury,  London,  leav- 
ing a  considerable  personality  and  a  valuable  library.  He 
published  a  number  of  works,  including  theology,  literature 
and  poetr}'. 

Laurence  Holker  Potts,  physician  and  inventor, 
( 1 789-1 850).     He  was  the  .son  of  Cuthbert  Potts, -'-  surgeon, 


*  Note.  Cuthbert  Potts.  Surgeon,  was  born  in  1743,  and  died  10  November, 
1825,  at  Truro,  [in  Cornwall.]  Several  persons  bore  the  iinu.sual  name  of  Cuthbert, 
suggesting  possible  relationship.  The  will  of  a  Cuthbert  Pott  was  probated  at 
Leicester  in  1546.  Another  Cuthbertus  Pott  and  Johanes  Smith  were  married  at 
Chesterfield.  Derbyshire,  3  June,  1636.  Among  those  who  compounded  with 
Cromwell  for  their  estates  was  a  Cuthbert  Pott. 


44  'i^HK  Potts  Family  in  (jRKAt  Britain'. 

and  Ethlinda  Margaret  Thorpe,  daughter  of  John  Thorpe, 
M.  D.,  F.  S.  A.,  and  was  born  in  Pall  Mall,  London,  18 
April,  1789.  He  was  educated  at  Westminster  School  in 
Northamptonshire,  and  in  1805  he  was  apprenticed  to  Mr. 
Birch,  surgeon.  He  was  a  surgeon  of  considerable  renown, 
having  been  Surgeon  Royal  in  Counties  Cornwall  and  Dev- 
on, and  Physician  to  County  Lunatic  Asylum  at  Bodmin; 
but  in  later  years  gave  considerable  attention  to  scientific 
and  mechanical  pursuits,  and  brought  out  a  number  of  val- 
uable inventions. 

In  1820  he  married  Miss  Anne  Wright,  of  Lambessow, 
Cornwall.  He  died  23  March,  1850,  at  Buckingham  Street, 
Adelphi,  London,  leaving  two  sons,  John  Thorpe  Potts  and 
Benjamin  L-  F'.  Potts,  and  four  daughters. 

Robert  Potts,  Mathematician,  (1805-1885).  He  was  a 
son  of  Robert  Potts,  and  grandson  of  the  head  of  a  firm  of 
Irish  linen  drapers,  was  born  at  Lambeth.  Entered  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge,  1828.  Was  a  successful  private  tutor 
in  the  University,  and  acquired  wide  reputation  as  the  edit- 
or of  Euclid's  Elements.  LL.  D.  from  William  and  Mar}- 
College,  of  Virginia.  Author  of  several  publications.  He 
died  at  Cambridge,  August,  1885. 


The  Potts'  of  Staffordshire. 

The  Potts'  of  StafTordshire  were  evidently  of  the  same 
family  as  those  of  Cheshire  and  Derbyshire.  The  following 
list  of  names  were  extradled  from  the  Indexes  of  Wills  and 
Letters  of  Administrations,  in  the  Court  of  Probate  at  Litch- 
field, Staffordshire,  by  the  late  Mr.  G.  D.  Scull,  in  1875, 
for  the  author  of  this  paper.  Wills  from  1650  to  1660  are 
missing.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  residences  of  several  of 
the  decedents  were  at  places  in  Derbyshire. 


PAOE   -4-4. 


The  Staffordshire  Famii^y.  45 

Wills. 

Ann  Pott,  of  Heaton, 1696 

Anthony  Pott,  1633 

Arthur  Pott,  of  Buxton,  Dec.     19,  179S 

B  Pott,   1567 

Charles  Potts,  of  Weeford,    Mav    21,  1716 

Edmund  Pott 1626 

Edmund  Potts,  of  Glossop,  1702 

El  Pott,    1566 

Elizabeth  Pott,  1642 

Elizabeth  Pott,  of  Bakewell Aug.     4,  1681 

George  Pott,  of  Chapel  en  la  Frith,  Apr.    14,  1803 

Humfredus  Pott,    163S 

Humphrey  Pott,  of  Stone,    1669 

Humphrey'  of  Howe,  1 6S4 

Humphrey  Pott,  of  Stone vSept.  11,  1684 

Jacobus  Pott,    1633 

Jacobus  Pott,  of  Eeeke,   1698 

James  Pott,  of  Leek,  May    19,  169S 

John  Pott,    1624 

John  Pott,  of  Norton  in  le  Moors,    1628 

John  Pott,  of  Heyfield,    1641 

John  Pott,  of  Toxall,    1649 

John  Potts,  of  Darleigh,  Sept.   13,  1672 

John  Potts,  of  Muckstone, Jan.  31,  1682-3 

John  Pott,  of  Leek,  April  30,  1686 

John  Pott,  of  Mucklestone,    Octo.    9,1691 

John  Potts,  of  Dronfield May    19,  1698 

John  Pott,  of  Dronfield, 1702 

John  Pott,  of  Chapel  en  la  P'rith,   vSept.    5,1811 

Johannes  Pott,   1613 

Joseph  Pott, 1590 

Joseph  Pott,  of  Buxton,  Oct.     16,  1772 

Katharine  Pott,    1648 

Laurentius  Pott,    1627 

Mary  Potts,  of  Weeford,   June    20,  1715 

Nicholas  Pott,  of  Wisham,   1530 

Ralph  Pott,   1557 

Radulphus  Pott,  1641 

Randall  Potts,  of  Hilderstone,   Aug.   20,1661 

Randolph  Pott,  of  Hylderston 1661 

Richard  Pott,   1611 


46  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Gkkat  Britain'. 

Richardus  Polt,    1614 

Richard  Pott,  of  Leek,  Sept.  21,  1660 

Richard  Pott,,  of  Stone,    Dec.      4,1661 

Richard  Pott,  of  Rantoii,    Auj^.     4,  t66S. 

Richard  Potts,  of  P'orton,  1690 

Richard  Pott,  of  Thickbroonie,  Apr.    14,  lyor 

Richard  Potts^,  of  Buxton,  April  29,  1794 

Robert  Pott,  of  Leek,  C>cto.  24,  1684 

Robert  Potts-,  of  Leigh,   April    7,  1691 

Roger  Pott, 1 6 1  r 

Roger  Pott,  of  Norton  in  le  Moors,    1646 

Roger  Pott9,  of  Chewardine,   Nov.   30,  1674 

Samuel  Potts.,  of  Frods-well,  June   25,  1741 

Sarah  Potts,  of  Penkridge,  Octo.  20,  iSiS 

Sarah  Potts-,  of  Buxton,  May      4,1840 

Simon  Pott,  of  Ronton,  Novr.   6,1697 

Simon  Potts,  of  Brevvood, 1745 

Thomas  Pott 1 595 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Castleton,  Jan.  28,  1666-7 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Whitington.   [Will  not  in  bundle] 1682 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Leek,  Mar.  20,  1684-5 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Buxton,  May    16,  1781 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Buxton,  , Sept.  20,  1825 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Chapelenle  p-rith Jan,    21,  1853 

William  Pott,  of  Leek Sept.  30,  1681 

William  Potts,  of  Stafford  (?),  1706 

William  Potts,  of  Rugely Nov.   13,  171S 

"William  Potts,  of  Chapelenle  Frith,  April  11,  1788 

William  Pott,  of  Penkridge,  May    22,  1791 

William  Pott,  of  Wormhill April  23,  1790 

William  Potts,  of  Tideswell,  Aug.    21,  1830 

Administrations. 

Ann  Pott,  of  Heaton Nov.   31,1696 

Edmund  Pott,  of  Chapelenla  Frith,  Sep.    28,  1807 

Edward  Pott,  of  Chapel  en  la  I'rith Octo.  21,  1749 

Elizabeth  Potts,  of  Tideswell Mar.    13,1854 

Humphrey  Pott,  ofStone,    Dec.  10,  1669 

John  Pott 163S 

Joseph  Potts,  of  Chapelenla  Frith,  Octo.  23,  1719 

Richard  Potts,  of  of  I'orton,  Mar.  20.  1690-1 

Rogerus  Pott,  1609 


The  Staffordshire  Family.  47 

Robert  Pott,  of  Buxton,  Auj.^.   20,  1818 

Robert  Potts,  of  Tideswell, Feb.    26,  1S31 

vSarah  Pott,  of  Rugely,  l<eb,    20,  1673 

Thomas  Pott,    1614 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Ivongson  Parva, Octo.  31,  1662 

Thomas  Pott,  of  Weeford, Feb.    25,  1686 

Wilhara  Pott 1617 

The  Probate  Court  at  Worcester  has  three  early  wills  of 
Potts,  viz. 

John  Pott,  of  Howsil,  1558 

Richard  Pott,  of  Littleton,   1538 

Richard  Pott,  of  Prior's  Close, 1560 


The  Potts^  of  Shropshire. 

A  branch  of  the  family  is  found  in  the  County  of  Salop, 
who  Avere  undoubtedl}-  of  the  Cheshire-Derb}'-shire  stock. 
The  following  lists  of  marriages,  baptisms  and  burials  have 
been  abstra<5led  from  the  parish  Registers  of  Broseley. 

Marriages. 

Thomas  Pott  and  Alice  Cleyton,  June      6,  1677 

John  Pott  and  Joyce  Deuxall,    May    15,1676 

George  Pott  and  Elizabeth  Haress,  Sept.  21,  1676 

Thomas  Wooden  and  Phebe  Potts Jan'y  14,  1699 

Humphrey  Pott  and  ffrances  Price,    June    19,  1705 

George  Potts  and  Mary  Armisrow,  July      7,  T711 

William  Beard  and  Alice  Potts,  Aug.   21,  1729 

John  Lloyd  and  Ann  Pott,    July    27,  1736 

Jonathan  W^illiams  and  Phoebe  Pott,  July    18,  1738 

Henrj- Gamison  and  Esther  Pot,   June   24,  1739 

Baptisms.'^ 

Jane,  daughter  of  George  Potte  and  Mary,   June  3,  1649 

George,  son  of  George  Potte  and  Mar}', Dec.  2,  165: 

William,  son  of  George  Pott  and  Mary,  Nov.  28,  1654 

*  Note.     Iu   the  Registers  the  entries  are  in  chronological  order,    but  are  here 
grouped  together  with  the  parents  as  a  matter  of  convenience. 


TnK  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britaix, 


Elizabeth,  dauj^hter  of  George  Pot  and  Mary Oct.     14 

William,  son  of  John  Pott  and  Mary,   Sept.     3 

John,  son  of  John  Pott  and  Mary,    Feb.    21 

Alice,  daughter  of  Tho.  Pott  and  Alice Jan.    25 

Anne,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Alice Feb,    23 

Diana,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Alice,    Jan.       6 

Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  Putt  and  Ales,    Mar.    18 

Joh   ,  son  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Alice,  Octo.    4 

ffrancis,  son  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Alice,  Nov.    27 

Alice,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Alice,    ]Mar.    1 7 

Humphrey,  son  of  George  Pott  and  Elizabeth,    J^dy    30 

George,  son  of  George  Pott  and  Elizabeth,  Sept.     i 

T'hebe,  daughter  of  George  Pott  and  Elizabeth Octo.    5 

John,  Sonne  of  George  Pott  and  Elizabeth,  J"ly    26 

Alice,  daughter  of  John  Pott  and  Joyce,    Aug.    11 

Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Pott  and  Joyce,   April  12 

Ann,  daughter  of  John  Pott  and  Joyce April   17 

Mary,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Mary,  Octo.  27 

Alice,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Mary,  March  9, 

Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Mary,    June      2 

Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Pott  and  Mary,    Dec.    10 

Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Potts  and  Mary,    Dec.      5 

Hestor,  daughter  of  Thomas  Potts  and  Mary,    June    10 

Anne,  daughter  of  Thomas  Potts  and  Mary June    16 

Thomas,  .son  of  Humphrey  Pott  and  ffrances,  Nov.    18, 

George,  son  of  Humphrey  Pott  and  ffrances,   June     4 

George,  son  of  Geo.  Potts  and  Mary,  July    22 

Phebe,  sen.  of  Geo.  Potts  and  Mary,    April    6 

Eliza,  daughter  of  Geo.  and  Mary  Potts Novr.    5 

Susana,  daughter  of  George  Potts  and ,  Mar.    28, 

Jo ,  son  of  George  and  Mary  Potts,  Maj-      9 

Eliza,  daughter  of  Geo.  Potts  and  Mary, Jan'y  17 

Pilizabeth,  daughter  of  George  and  Marj' Potts,  Feb'y  6, 

Ales,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Potts,    Dec.      8 

Mary,  daughter  of  George  and  Rebecca  Potts,  IVIay    16 

Thomas,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  Pott,  Jan'y    7 

John,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  Pott Aug.  25 

Thomas,  son  of  Geo.  and  Rebecca  Pott,  Feb.    14, 

Alice,  daughter  of  George  and  Rebecca  Potts Aug.     3 

Alice,  daughter  of  Geo.  and  Rebecca  Pott Jan.     26, 


The  Shropshire  Family.  49 

Francis,  son  of  George  and  Rebec.  Pott June   15,  1744 

Samuel,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  Pott,  Sep.    29,  1745 

Daniel,  son  of  Geo  and  Rebecca  Pot,  Jan.     17,  1747 

Thomas,  son  of  Geor  and  Elis  Pott, Nov.     5,  1732 

Elisabeth,  daughter  of  George  and  Elis  Pott,  Dec.      8,  1734 

Samuel,  son  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott,   Jan.      9,  1736 

Marj',  daughter  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott,    Nov.    11,  1739 

George,  son  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott,   Dec.      5,1742 

Frances,  daughter  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott,   Aug.    12,1744 

George,  son  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott Aug.     2,  1747 

Hannah,  daughter  of  Geo  and  Elis  Pott,   Dec.      3,1749 

John,  son  of  Tho  and  Rebecca  Pott,    Nov.    21,  1726 

George,  son  of  Tho  and  Rebebca  Pott Feb.    21,  1732 

John,  a  base  son  of  Alice  Pott  by  John ,  Jan.     25,  1709 

John,  son  of  John  Pott  and  Mary,    Feb.    19,  1799 

Eliza,  daughter  of  Rich  Potts  and  Mary,  Jan'y  25,  1712 

ffra. ,  son  of  Geo  Potts  and  Sarah Mar.    20,  1716 

Burials. 

Maria  Pott,    Mar.    16,  1641 

ElenorPotte, Sept.  13,  1649 

Jane  Pott,  Dec.    10,  1649 

William  Pott,    April    i,  1655 

A  child  of  Thomas  Pots,    April  12,  1668 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Pott,  Dec.    29,1675 

Mary,  wife  of  George  Pott,  June     6,  1677 

John,  Sonne  of  George  Pott  and  Elizabeth,  Jul}-    31,  1683 

George  Pott,  senior,   May    22,  1684 

John  Pot,   Aug.     3,  1684 

George  Pott, Sept.  26,  1684 

Elizabeth  Pott,  Oct.     20,  1684 

Thomas  Potts,    June      2,  1692 

Alice  Potts,  vddd;   Sept.  26,  1699 

Mary,  daughter  of  Joyce  Pott,  Feb.    20,  1703 

Humphrey  Pott,    Jan'y    9,  1708 

John,  a  child  of  Alice  Potts,  Feb.    26,  1708 

Wido  Pootts Jan'y  21,  1712 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Potts,   July    19,1713 

Eliza,  daughter  of  George  Pott,    Oct.      5,  1718 

Thomas  Potts Jan'y  28,  1719 

A  child  of  Thomas  Potts June    18,1721 

7 


50  T?iK  Potts  I-'amilv  in  Grkat  Britain. 

Ann,  (laughter  of  George  Polt,    Jan'v  14,  1724 

Hilary,  wife  of  George  Pott,  Dec.      i,  1724 

J olni.  son  of  Tho  and  Rebecca  Pott,    Nov.    24,1726 

Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Pott,  Aug.    16,1732 

Thomas,  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  Potts, J^»'y  '4.  ^735 

Aiary,  daughter  of  George  Pott,   Fe)^.    17,1735 

Alice,  daughter  of  Geo  ^nd  Rebecca  Pott,  Feb.    14,  1741 

Frances  Pott,    Dec.    28,1741 

George  son  of  Geo  and  P^Hs  Pott,  Dec.    20,  1742 

vSarah,  wife  of  Will  l\)1t,  Jan'y  31,  1745 

Thomas  Pott,    Apnl  15,  1746 

Frances,  daughter  of  Geo  Pott,  Sep.     11,  1746 

Samuel,  son  of  Geo  Pot,    Nov.   26,1746 

Daniel,  son  of  George  Pot,  Mar.   22,  1747 


Thomas  Pott^  the  Persecuted  Quaker, 

Earvvaker's  History  of  the  Hundred  of  Macclesfield,  in  the 
County  of  Cheshire,  under  a  chapter  upon  "  Wihnslow  Par- 
i.sh,"  has  thi.s  entry  extra(5ted  from  the  Church warden.s'  ac- 
cotnit  in  1654. 

Paid  unto  M''  Daine  [Dean]  in  the  Middlewich  for  taking  of  4  ex- 
aniacons  concerning  Quakers. 

This  is  the  first  entry  relating  to  the  Quakers,  and  .shows 
how  early  they  were  established  in  this  parish,  where  they 
have  since  been  .strongly  represented.  On  page  134  of  the 
same  work  is  the  following, 

Their  old  place  of  worship  near  Morley  Green,  is  now  converted  in- 
to cottages  and  a  more  commodious  building  was  erected  nearer 
Wihnslow  about  twenty  years  .since.  Their  first  place  of  intennent 
was  across  Linden  Common,  in  a  secluded  piece  of  ground  in  Mob- 
berly  Parish,  where  some  old  tombstones  may  still  be  seen.  This 
graveyard  is  fenced  round  and  well  cared  for. 

Upon  the  fall  of  the  Commonwealth  and  the  restoration 
of  monarchy,  a  systematic  persectttion  of  all  di.ssenters  was 
instituted,  and  the  new  sedt  of  Friends  or  Quakers  *  were 

*  The  Friends  or  Quakers  stem  to  have  first  been  di.stinsuished  by  tliese  names 
in   1650. 


Thomas  Pott,  the  PersecI'Ted  Quaker.  51 

especial  sufferers  on  account  of  their  peculiar  doclrines  and 
practices  and  their  firmness  in  the  face  of  opposition.  Mac- 
caulay  saj-s,  "At  the  Restoration  the  Quakers  were  regard- 
ed as  the  most  despicable  of  fanatics, ' ' 

Among  the  early  adherents  to  the  faith  held  and  taught 
b)'  George  Fox  was  Thomas  Poif,  of  vStyall  Green  in  the 
township  of  Pownall  Fee,  Cheshire.  He  was  born  about 
the  year  16 18.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  substan- 
tial charadler  and  sterling  principle,  and  by  reason  of  his 
firm  adherence  to  his  religious  convidtions,  he  was  the  sub- 
jecl  of  repeated  persecutions,  as  we  find  from  the  following 
extracfts  taken  from  A  Colle£lio7i  of  the  Sufferings  of  the  Peo- 
ple Called  Quakers  of  a  Good  Co7iscience,  etc.,  By  foseph  Besse, 
London,  1753. 

1653.  John  Worlliington,  Thomas  Janiiey,  Thomas  PoTTS,  Richard 
Burgess,  Robert  Milner,  and  Edward  Alcock,  Suffered  Distress  of 
Goods  to  the  Value  of  ill.  los.  for  going  but  two  Miles  from  their 
Habitations  to  a  Meeting. 

1655.  Eighteen  Persons  taken  in  a  Meeting  at  the  House  of  Ed- 
ward Alcock  of  Moberly,  were  by  Warrants  from  the  Deput}'  Lieuten- 
ants of  the  County  Committed  to  the  House  of  Correction  at  Middle- 
wich  for  two  Months,  where  they  found  several  others  of  their 
Friends;  so  that  they  were  much  incommoded  for  Want  of  Room,  be- 
ing closely  kept,  and  none  suffered  to  visit  them,  and  when  William 
Woodcock  and  Mary  Stretch  came  to  the  Prison  to  see  their  Brethren, 
themselves  were  imprisoned  for  attempting  it.  Nor  were  they  admit- 
ted to  bring  them  their  necessary  P'ood,  but  as  they  received  it 
through  the  Windows  of  the  Prison.  By  means  of  this  close  Im- 
prisonment in  the  Depth  of  Winter,  Edward  Knevett,  a  Man  of  good 
Reputation,  aged  aboiit  seventy,  and  infirm  of  Body,  fell  sick  and  died 
there,  before  the  two  Months  expired;  at  the  End  of  the  Time  the 
other  seventeen  were  released;  four  of  whom,  viz.,  Thomas  Janney, 
Thomas  Pott,  Jeffrey  Burgess,  and  Edw^ard  Alcock,  were  soon  after 
taken  again  at  a  Meeting,  and  recommitted  for  four  Months. 

1666.  James  Harrison,  William  Janney,  John  Falkner,  John  Nixon, 
Thomas  Pott,  John  Lamb,  John  Milner,  and  Thomas  Bretton,  were 
committed  to  the  common  Goal  at  Chester,  the  former  five  of  them  for 


52  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Grkat  Britain. 

.six  Months,  and  the  others  for  three  Months,  being  convidlted  of  hav- 
ing been  at  a  Meeting  held  at  the  House  of  Thomas  Janne\'  at  Pownal 
Fee,  upon  the  Information  of  John  Burges  and  Thomas  Hease,  noted 
Informers,  Persons  of  a  bad  Chara(5ler,  and  observed  to  be  very  unsuc- 
cessful. Hease  was  obliged  to  fly  for  Debt,  and  he  who  was  used  to 
plunder  his  Neighbours  Houses,  was  turned  out  of  his  own  by  the 
Sheriff,  and  some  of  his  Children  sent  to  the  Parish  for  Maintenance. 
Burgess  was  thrown  into  Goal  for  Debt,  and  he  who  was  instrumental 
in  sending  his  Neighbours  to  Prison,  died  a  Pri.soner  himself. 

1671.  In  this  Year  Thomas  Janney,  for  1 1.  6s.  8d.,  and  Thom.a.s 
Pott,  for  20  s.,  for  Tythes  claimed  by  Peter  Ledsham,  Priest  of 
Wilmslow,  had  their  Goods  taken  away  to  the  Value  of  3  1.  10  s.  each. 

1673.  Thomas  Janney,  Thomas  PoTT,  and  Robert  Pearson,  for 
Tythes  claimed  of  them  worth  but  2I.  14  s.,  had  Goods  taken  from 
them  to  the  Value  of  10 1.   19  s. 

1684.  Thomas  Pott  of  Wilmslow,  for  a  Meeting  at  his  House,  was 
fined  20  s.,  but  he  being  very  poor,  the  Officers,  who  broke  open  his 
Doors  and  rifled  his  House,  could  find  no  more  Goods  than  amounted 
to  2I.  OS.  6d.  which  they  took,  and  the  poor  Man  and  his  Family 
were  obliged  to  seek  for  Lodging  at  their  Neighbours  Houses. 

Several  of  his  neighbors  and  friends  emigrated  to  Pennsyl- 
vania in  America,  and  several  letters  written  by  him  to 
them  are  still  extant.  Two  of  these  are  here  given,  and 
two  others  are  in  possession  of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical 
Society  at  Philadelphia. 

Letter  from  Thomas  Pott  to  James  Harrison.* 

James  harison 

My  deare  and  welbelove  ed  frend  ye  I  maj'  say  rather  a  father  yea 
more  my  father  to  mee  in  the  truth  my  salutation  in  the  opening 
springe  of  life  in  my  hart  at  this  time  dearely  salute  thee  and  thy  ten- 
der wife  with  whom  my  sou[le]  hath  been  refreshed  mani  a  time  in 
the  remembranch  of  whic[h]  my  hart  is  broken  and  my  soule  filed 
with  the  springe  of  louf  and  life  in  mee  you  wares  deare  James  thou 


*  Note.  James  Harrison,  aged  57,  late  of  Boltou,  Lancashire,  together  with  Ann 
Harri.son  his  mother,  aged  Si  j-ears,  Ann  his  wife,  Phineas  Pemberton  hi.s  son-in- 
law,  Phebe  Pemberton  his  daughter  and  wife  of  Phineas,  sailed  from  Liverpool, 
7  mo.  5,  1682,  reached  Choptank,  Maryland,  9  mo.  21,  and  Pennsylvania,  11  mo.  21, 
of  the  same  year,  and  settled  in  Bucks  County. 


Thoma's  Pott,  the  Persecuted  Quaker.  53 

was  ben  veri  oft  in  niy  mind  both  stlipin  and  waing  [i.  e.  sleeping  and 
'A-aking]  in  Considcracion  of  which  hath  don  my  soul  good  for  mani 
•tlaves  after  I  can  trulv  say  deare  James  itiy  tender  loiif  to  finias  antl 
«o  bee  with  rest  of  thine  and  all  the  rest  of  f!athful  frends  for  mani  of 
you  are  in  my  mind  more  then  at  this  time  I  can  mention  for  truly 
my  louf  is  to  you  all:  deare  James  my  Children  have  their  louf  to 
thee  and  thy  wife  and  frends  wee  are  all  wel  a[nd3  the  truth  is  the 
■uper  most  not  with  standing  these  stonmi  times  blessed  and  ever  bles- 
sed bee  my  god  sath  my  sole  James  I  atn  n-ot  wit"h  out  hope  but  1 
ma  si  you  if  the  lorjl  soe  order  it  but  1  desire  to  wate  to  know  his  or^ 
fiering  hand  deare  frend  I  do  desire  to  heare  of  thy  welfare  for  I  have 
Tiot  heard  of  any  letter  tbat  hath  Came  from  th[ee^  since  thou  went 
■deare  An  harison  my  love  once  more  remembre  unto  thee  I  had  in- 
tended to  have  sine  j^ou  at  levei-poul  when  you  went  but  I  was  not  wel 
.at  that  time  deare  An  I  have  sent  thee  won  shilling  axsept  it  in  tO' 
Teen  of  my  love  to  tliee  which  love  will  ever  remane  to  ji^ou  as  I  a  bide 
in  the  truth  I  belive  for  indid  ever  you  were  loufing  unto  mee  my 
dears  love  to  william  j-ardley  -^  and  Jane  Ms  wife  mani  waters  cannot 
quinch  the  louf  that  springs  in  my  hart  to  you  at  this  time  fare  you 
well  my  deare  frends        ffrom  your  welwishing  ffrend 


.^^ 


ffrom  Stiall  grine  the  fferst  Day  of  the  5  month  1683 

From  Thomas  Pott  to  James  Harrison  and  Thomas  Janney.f 

James  harison  and  Thomas  Janni 

My  ancient  dear  and  wellbeloufed  frends  in  that  tender  love  which 
mani  a  time  hath  floed  in  m}-  hart  to  wards  you  since  I  sawe  you  doe 
I  in  veri  much  tendernes  and  brokenes  of  hart  at  this  time  salut  you 
for  in  did  you  have  bin  mee  think  veri  nere  mee  mani  a  time  since  I 
sawe  you  and  I  hope  j'our  tender  love  to  me  when  in  my  land  will 
never  bee  for  gotten  by  me  dere  frends  my  love  to  you  is  more  than 
I   en   expres   here   but   I  know  yoit  can  saver  beeyond  words     dere 


*  Note.  William  Yardley,  with  his  wife  Jane  aud  children  Enoch,  Thomas  and 
William,  late  of  Ransclougli,  near  Leeke,  Staffordshire,  reached  Pennsylvania  7 
nio,  18,  1682,  and  settled  in  Bucks  County. 

t  Note.  Thomas  Janney,  with  Margaret  his  wife  and  children  Jacob,  Thomas, 
Abel  and  Joseph,  of  Pownall-Fee,  Cheshire,  emigrated  to  America  in  1683,  and 
settled  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania. 


$4  The  Potts  Famii.v  in  Grkat  Kkitain'. 

frends  my  veri  hartti  love  is  to  youre  wivess  and  families  in_\-  child- 
ren have  their  lonefs  to  you  all  I  desire  you  to  rememl^r  mee  to  wil- 
liani  yardly  and  his  wife  and  to  finnias  pemberton  and  his  wife  and 
all  theres  and  to  my  ould  frends  and  neghberes  as  you  mind  dere 
frends  I  am  veri  jjlad  to  here  of  your  well  fare  and  haveing  the  opor- 
tuniti  was  willing  to  let  you  itnder  stand  that  I  and  mine  are  all  well 
which  I  bolive  \-ou  will  bee  g'lad  to  heare  Soe  I  take  my  leve  with 
you  in  the  flowings  of  that  strength  which  tenders  the  harts  of  the 
upright  desireing  the  god  of  my  life  to  kepe  us  all  to  the  end  of  our 
(layes  from  your  well  wishing  frend 


(\C/o?ric<<i  y^ 


iJ^ 


from  Stiall  grine 

the  13  day  of  the  4  mouth  S7 

Thomas  Pott's  wife's  name  was  Mary,  but  her  maiden 
name  and  the  record  of  marriage  have  not  been  fonnd.  She 
died  12  mo,  13,  1672.  Thomas  Pott  died  8  mo.  11,  1707. 
aged  89  years.  Both  were  buried  at  Mobberley,  probabl}" 
in  the  Friends  grave3'ard  before  mentioned.  All  their 
children  were  born  in  Pownall-Fee. 

ChiIvDrkn  of  Thomas  and  Marv  Pott. 

1  Martha  Pott,  b.  6  mo.  29,  1656;  m.  Daniel  vSiddon,  4  mo.  16,  1704. 

2  Hannah  Pott,    b.  10  mo.  6,  1658;   d.  6  mo.  4,  1729,    aged  7[  j-ears. 

3  vSarah  Pott,  b.  5  mo.  16,  1660;  d.  i  mo.  28,  1661. 

4  Matthew  Pott,  b.  i  mo.  23,  1662;  d.  Smo.  3,  1718;  m.  Sarah  Cros- 

bie,  I  mo.  13,  J  694. 

5  Marie  Pott,  b.  3  mo.  11,  1665;    d.  6  mo.  27;  1665. 

6  Elizabeth  Pott,  b.  3  mo.  11,  1665;  m.  Daniel  W'hitwham,    1701, 

7  Thomas  Pott,  b.  5  mo.  4,  r668;  d.  5  mo.  28,  1668. 

8  Thomas  Pott,  b.  ;  d.  2  mo.  24,  1690. 

4  Matthew  Pott,  (son  of  Thomas  and  Mary),  was 
born  I  mo.  23,  1662,  in  Pownall-Fee.  He  married  Sarah 
Crosbie,  (daughter  of  John  and  Christiana  of  Overwhiteley 
in  Cheshire),  i  mo.  13,  1694.       He  lived  at  Styall  Greene 


Thomas  Pott,  the  Persecuted  Quaker.  55 

in  Pownall-Fee,  and  died  8  mo.  3,  1718,  aged  56  3'ears.  He 
Avas  buried  at  Mobberley,  Letters  of  Administration  upon 
his  estate  were  taken  out  of  the  Probate  Court  at  Chester 
in  lyig. 

CHrLDREN  OF  Matthew  and  Sarah  (^Crosbie)  Pott. 

9     Marv-  Pott,  b.  6  mo.  2,  1697. 
JO     Thomas  Potts,   b.  11  mo.  iS,  1698;  d.  1  mo.  26,  1747;  ni.  Mary 

10  Thomas  Potts,  (son  of  Matthew  and  Sarah),  was 
born  II  mo.  18,  1698.  His  wife's  name  was  Mary.  Resi- 
dence, Pownall-Fee.  He  seems  to  have  been  the  first  of 
this  family  to  spell  the  name  Pofls. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Mary  PoTTS. 

11  Matthew  Potts,   b.  10  mo.  25,  1734. 

12  Robert  Potts,  b.  6  mo.  11,  1736. 

13  Mary  Potts,  b.  10  mo.  9,  1738. 

14  Sarah  Potts,  b.  2  mo.  10,  1742;  d.  ii  mo.  21,  1743. 
55  Sarah  Potts,  b.  4  mo.  8,  1744. 

16     Thomas  Potts,   i).  8  mo.  5,  1746. 


The  Potts'  of  Wales. 

At  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century  a  family  of  Pott 
or  Potts  were  settled  in  Montgomeryshire,  Wales,  who 
are  supposed  to  have  been  from  the  Cheshire  stock,  and 
may  have  spread  into  Wales  bj^  way  of  Shropshire.  The 
late  Rev.  H.  E.  Thomas,  D.  D.,  sometime  pastor  of  the 
the  Welsh  Church  at  Idlewood,  Allegheny  Countj^  Penna., 
a  native  of  Wales,  and  whose  ancestors  had  intermarried 
with  the  Potts  family,  communicated  to  Thomas  Maxwell 
Potts,*  this  tradition,  that  "  a  son  or  nephew  of  the  Rev. 
Nehemiah  Pott,  of  the  Deanerj^  of  Macclesfield,  settled  at  or 
near  Llanidloes,  where  he  married  a  Welsh  lady  named  Jen- 

*  See  Our  Family  .•Ancestors,  by  Thomas  Maxwell  Potts,  1S95.  page  iJ4. 


56  TiiK  P'OTTS  Familv  iiV  Grkat  Fritain-. 

kins,  and  became  the  ancestor  of  tJie  Welsh  Potts."  If  the- 
Neheniiah  Pott  referred  to  is  the  same  who  has  already  been 
mentioned  in  this  work.f  then  that  much  of  the  tradition 
must  be  at  fault,  because  at  least  one  of  the  Welsh  Potts' 
was  e\ndently  a.  much  older  man  than  the  Re\'.  Neheniiah 
himself.  This  tradition  however  may  be  taken  as  an  evi- 
dence of  Cheshire  extraction.  As  it  is  reasonably  certain 
that  the  early  Potts  settlers  in  Pennsylvania  came  from 
this  section  of  Wales  and  were  of  tliis  family,  w^e  shall  give 
here  all  data  so  far  as  have  been  collecfted. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  a  careful  exaniiuation  of  the  Par- 
ish Registers  of  the  neigborhood  would  discover  some  valu- 
ble  records  of  the  Potts' .  The  British  Government  made 
Parliamentary  Inquiries  in  1S31,  as  to  the  state  and  age  of 
the  Parish  Registers  then  existing.  The  Report  was  pub- 
lished in  what  was  called  a  Blue  Book,  dated  1833.  From 
this  we  learn  that  the  lylandinam  Parish  Registers  were 
then  existing,  dated  1594  to  181 2.  To  1732  they  were 
written  in  Latin.  The  Ivlariidloes  Registers  contianed  Bap- 
tisms, Burials  and  Marriages,  161 8  to  1708,  but  were  very 
defe(ftive.  The  following"  are  copies  of  a  letter  of  inquiry 
and  the  reply,  regarding  the  name  of  Pott  or  Potts  in  the 
Parish  Registers  of  Llandinam. 

Letter  of  Inquiry. 

529  Cooper  Street 
Camden,  New  Jersev 
United  States 
Aug.  30,  1892 
Rev.  &  Dear  Sir: 

Would  you  kindly  make  a  preliniinar)'  examination  of  the  Par- 
ish Rejjisters  of  Llandinam  and  let  me  know  if  there  are  many  entries 
in  the  name  of  Pott  or  Potts  from  their  heginning  in  1594  to  the  year 
1730,  and  let  me  know  the  cost  of  having  them  copied. 

For  the  preliminary  examination  I  send  the  fee  of  six  shillings 

*  See  pages  i8,  21,  and  33,  ante. 


The  Family  in  Wales.  57 

which  I  beUeve  is  customary.     If  there  should  be  within  those  dates 

entries  in  the  name,  I  will  send  the  charges  in  advance. 

Truly  Yours 

Wii^LL.\M  John  Potts 
The  Re6lor,  Llandinam,  North  Wales. 

The  Reply. 

The  Vicarage,  Llandinam,  Montgo:meryshire. 

21  September  1S92. 
DE.A.R  Sir: 

I  have  glanced  through  the  Registers  of  Llandinam  Parish 
Church  for  the  years  given  in  your  letter  1594  &  1730,  to  examine 
them  carefully  would  take  weeks  if  not  months.  I  may  mention  that 
after  the  inspection  I  have  made  I  am  quite  satisiied  that  the  name  of 
Pott  or  Potts  was  not  common  in  this  Parish  during  that  period. 
I  am  yours  faithfully 

Morgan  Jones 

Another  inquiry  addressed  to  the  Recftor  at  Ivlanidloes 
elicited  the  following  reply. 

The  Vicarage,  Li«anidi.oes,  N.  AV. 

Nov.  23,  '92. 
Dear  Sir; 

A^'ith  reference  to  yr.  letter  of  Aug.  30,  I  beg  to  say  that  I  have 
made  a  cursory  examination  of  the  registers  from  161S  to  1720  but 
have  not  found  any  entries  in  the  name  of  Pott.  At  the  same  time  I 
must  add  that  the  registers  are  written  in  a  v[ery]  crabbed  hand  in 
Latin  &  in  many  cases  are  wholly  illegible.  A  thorough  search  w'' 
be  a  long  task;  the  fee  for  searching  modern  Registers  is  16  shillings 
per  an.  Yr'   faithfully 

Edward  O.  Jones. 
WiEEiAM  John  Potts.  Vicar. 

Camden,  New  Jersey. 

The  following  description  of  the  Parish  of  lylangirrig,  the 
former  home  of  the  Potts' ,  taken  from  Lewis'  Topographi- 
cal Dictionary  of  Wales,  1864.,  is  not  without  interest. 

Leangurig  or  Li,angirrig  (Llangurig),  a  parish  in  the  Union  of 
Newton  and  Llanidloes,  upper  division  of  the  hundred  of  Llanidloes, 
count)-  of  Montgomery,  North  Wales,  5  miles  (s.  w. )  from  Llanidloes 
8 


58  The  Potts  Familv  in  Grkat  Britain', 

on  the  road  to  Aberyst^vith ;  containing  193 1  inhabitants.  This  parish 
is  situated  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  river  Wye,  at  no  great  distance 
from  its  source  in  the  neighboring  mountain  of  Plinlimmon;  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  parishes  of  Llanidloes  and  Trevegl\\ys, 
on  the  south  by  those  of  Cuni-Toyddwr  and  St.  Harmon,  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Radnor,  on  the  east  by  L,landinan:  and  Llanidloes,  and  on  the 
west  by  Llanbadarn-Vawr  and  Llansyihangel-y-Cruddyn,  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Cardigan, 

A  new  road  leading  from  the  village  of  Rhaiadr,  in  the  shire  of 
Radnor,  formed  in  1S30,  has  placed  it  on  the  nearest  route  from  Lon- 
don to  Aberystwith,  and  added  materially  to  its  interest  and  import- 
ance; and  this  line  of  road  -which  is  nine  and  a  half  miles  in  length, 
winds  through  the  beautiful  and  picfturesque  Vale  of  the  Wye,  abound- 
ing with  pleasingly  diversified  scenery.  The  parish  comprises  by 
computation  35,000  acres,  of  which  about  8,000  are  arable,  25,000  pas- 
ture and  sheepwalks,  and  the  remainder  woodland.  The  northern, 
southern  and  western  parts  are  mountainous  and  drearj-,  but  the  east- 
ern portion  is  marked  by  less  lofty  deviations,  and  is  well-wooded  and 
ornamented  with  romantic  scenery.  The  distant  views  from  several 
parts  are  interesting;  and  from  Glyn-Brochan  is  an  extensive  and  de- 
lightful prospedt,  embracing  the  Vale  of  Llanidloes,  with  the  winding 
of  the  river  Severn,  and  the  movuitainous  ridges  by  which  this  district 
is  bounded. 

Of  the  rateable  annual  value,  the  return  made  amounts  to  ^3,749. 
A  few  persons  are  engaged  in  quarrying  flagstones,  which  are  abun- 
dant; and  there  are  three  or  four  flannel  manufactories  giving  together 
emploj'ment  to  about  150  men  and  children;  four  corn-mills  employ 
three  or  four  hands  each. 

The  living  is  a  vicarage,  rated  in  the  kings  books  at  ;^S  10;  patron, 
Bishop  of  Bangor;  impropriator,  Sir  W.  W.  Wj-nne,  Bart.:  the  vicari- 
al tithes  have  been  commuted  for  a  rent  charge  of  ^280,  being  one 
fourth  of  the  whole.  The  church  dedicated  to  St.  Curig,  a  saint  of 
the  seventh  centurj-,  is  an  ancient  structure  in  the  early  English  style 
v>ith  a  tower  containing  three  bells;  it  is  37  yards  long  and  15  broad, 
and  affords  accommodation  to  about  600  persons,  the  remains  of  an 
elaborately  carved  screen  and  rood-loft  having  become  dilapidated 
were  lately  removed.  There  are  places  of  worship  for  Baptists,  Inde- 
pendents and  Welsh  Calvanistic  and  Wesleyan  Methodists. 

A  day  school  was  established  in  1832,  by  the  Rev.  E.  James,  M.  A., 
curate,  and  contains  upwards  of  sixty  children,  forty  three  of  whom 
are  paid  for  by  annual  stibscriptions,  everj'  subscriber  of  10  s.  being 
allowed  to  send  a  child  for  one  year,  and  the  rest  are  instru(5led  at  the 


The  Family  ix  Wale.s.  59 

expense  of  their  parents.  There  are  also  four  Sunday  Schools,  sup- 
ported by  subscription,  in  one  of  which  connecled  with  the  Estab- 
lished Church,  are  56  males  and  females;  the  rest  appertain  to  the 
dissenters,  and  contain  about  170.  Mr.  Da\-id  Vaughn  bequeathed  ^10 
to  the  poor,  the  interest  of  which  is  annually  distributed  among  them. 
In  1826,  a  noble  coined  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III,  was  dug  up  in 
this  parish. 

t  THOMAS  POTT,  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  Llan- 
girrig  .so  far  a.s  we  now  know,  was  evidently  an  aged  man 
at  the  making  of  his  will  in  1654,  as  his  children  were  then 
all  married  and  had  children  of  their  own,  and  as  he  speaks 
of  some  of  his  grand-children  as  unmarried  it  is  fair  to  sup- 
pose that  some  of  them  were  grown  up  and  of  marriageable 
age  at  that  time.  He  calls  himseli  j'a)?na?i  which,  from  the 
English  usage  of  the  word,  would  indicate  that  he  was  a 
landowner.  He  was  a  resident  of  the  Parish  of  Llangirrig. 
in  ^Montgomeryshire,  above  described.  His  will  was  made 
in  1654,  and  proven  in  1661,  but  as  the  inventory  of  his 
personal  effects  was  filed  in  165S  he  probably  died  in  that 
year.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  will,  as  taken  from 
the  original  on  file  in  the  Consistor}-  Court  at  Bangor,  so 
far  as  it  can  be  deciphered.  It  is  much  eaten  away  by  the 
decay  of  the  paper  from  age  and  damp.  The  blank  spaces 
in  the  printed  cop)'  only  approximately  correspond  with  the 
missing  parts  in  the  original. 

The  Will  of  Thomas  Pott. 
In  the  Name  on  the  Eleventh 

day  of  August     In  and  Saviour 

Jesus  Christ   o  ousand  sixe  hundred  fifety  and  foure 

homas  Pott  of  the  parish  of  Llangericke  in  the  County  of  Mont- 
gom''y  yeoman  l>eing  sicke  and  weeke  in  bodye  but  of  good  an  pfecl 
mynde  and  memorye  pra}-esed  God  I  doe  make  this  ni}-  last  Will  and 
testament  in  maner  and  forme  foUoweing  hearebj-  revokeing  disanul- 
linge  and  makeing  voyde  and  frustrate  all  former  Wills  and  testa- 
ments bj-  me  heretofore  maide  whatsoever  and  declaring  this  p^'sent 
writtenige  and  instrument  to  be  my  last  Will  and  testament  and  none 
other  that  is  to  saye 


6o  TnK  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

ffirst  I  Coniend  ni}-  soiile  unto  the  hands  of  Allraightie  God  my  ma- 
ker and  redeemer  and  my  bodye  to  the  earth  to  be  buried  in  the  par- 
ish Chnrch  of  Llangiricke  aforesaid  in  forme  of  Cristian  Buriall 

Allso  I  doe  hereby  give  and  bequeath  to  the  John  Pott  my  grandchild 
Sonne  of  John  Pott  late  of  Nantgnernog  Eighte  sheepe  being  in  the 
custodie  of  the  said  John  Pott  late  of  Nantgnernog"  aforesaid 

Allso  I  doe  hereb}'  give  and  bequeath  to  Anne  my  nrall  daughter 
Wife  of  the  said  John  Pott  of  Nantgnernog  and  to  Eight  of  hyr  child- 
ren being  unmarried  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  sheepe  which  are 
in  the  Custodye  of  the  said  John  Pott  late  of  Nantgnernog  aforesaid 
to  be  equally  devided  between  them 

Allso  I  doe  herebye  give  and  bequeath  unto  Elizabeth  my  nrall 
daughter  wiie  of  William  Pound  and  to  hyr  ffoure  children  three 
pounds  which  are  in  the  hands  of  the  s.  William  Pound  and  which 
he  oweth  u  ne      which  said  three  pounds  shall  b       evided  as  fol- 

lowetli  that  is  to  saye  t  shillings  threreof  to  the  said  Eliz      th 

and  thother  fforty  shillin         o   hys  foure  children  that  is  to 

say     tenn  llings  apeece 

Allso  !  nd  bequeath  to  Evan  Pott  mj'  nrall  sonne  ffive  shil- 

lings and  to  ,  hter  one  yearleinge  sheepe 

Allso  I  doe  hereb}'  give  and  lx;qu  my  nrall 

sonne  tw  ne  an 

grandchild  e  3-ears 

ould  ab     t  the  first  next 

give  and  bequeath  to  Margaret  Pott  my  gran 

sonne  John  Pott  one  brasse  panne  and  one 
boxe  or  litl         c 

I  nominate  constitute  and  apointe  my  well  beloved  son 
sole  and  onely  Executor  of  this  my  la      Will   and   Testament   to 
paye  arges  and  to  defray  my  ffunerall 

exp  s   and  to  execute  doe  and  pform     1  acts  a  gs  for  and 

towards  the  ffuUfillinge  an  accomplishment  of  this  my  last  ill  and 
nt  and  in  consideration  thereof  I  doe  hereby  give  and  be- 
queath to  John  Pott  my  nrall  ne  and  my  sd  Executor  all  my  good 
chattells  implements  of  husbandry  Houshould  Stuffe  and  psonall  Es- 
tate whatsoever  not  before  herein  given  and  bequeathed 

In  wittnes  whereof  I  the  said  Thomas  Pott  have  to  this  my  last  Will 
and  testament  put  my  hand  and  seale  even  the  day  and  yeare  ftirst 
above  written  in  the  psence  of  the  psons  undernamed  as  wittenesses 

The  marke  X  of  Thomas  Porr  [l.s.] 

'i  the  marke  of  John  Pott 

tt  the  marke  of  Hugh  Pova 

Tho  Hardingk  Clerk 


The  Family  in  Wales.  6i 

Proved  in  the  Consistory  Court  of  the  Bishop  of  Bangor  in  the 
month  of  September  1661 

The  Inventory  of  Thomas  PoU's  Personal  Effects. 

A  true  pfect  &  right  In 
of  all  ye  goods  catties  &  chat 
Thomas  Pott  of  ye  pash  of  Llan 
Taken  valued  &  apprised  the 
day  of  May  in  ye  yeare  of 
1658  by  James  Kinsey  a 
in  sorte  foiloweing 

Inip^  three  Kynne  p''  4 

'  ■    2  bullockes  p''  2 

"     15  sheepe  p""  i 

' '    his  wearing  appell  o 

toto      8 
The  mark  P  of  John  Pott 
The  mark  I  K  of  James  Kinsky 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Pott. 

2  Anne  PoLt,  m.  John  Pott.     See  Infra. 

3  Elizabeth  Pott,  ni.  John  Pound  or  Bound.     See  Infra. 

4  Evan  Pott.       Mentioned  in  his  father's  will  in  1654,  when  he  was 

married  and  had  one  daughter. 

5  John  Pott.     Named  in  his  father's  will  in  1654,  when  he  was  mar- 

ried and  had  tv/o  children,  one  named  Margaret. 


2  Anne  Pott,  daughter  of  Thomas,  married  John  Pott, 
(possibly  a  relative).  Their  place  of  residence  seems  to 
have  been  Nantgneniog  in  the  Parish  of  I^langirrig.  John 
Pott  died  about  1672  or  3,  leaving  a  wife  Anne  and  seven 
children  surviving  him.  His  will  dated  12  February,  1672, 
and  proven  21  May,  1673,  is  on  file  in  the  Consistory  Court 
at  Bangor,  North  Wales.  The  following  are  copies  of  this 
will  and  the  inventorj^  of  his  personal  effe(5ts. 

The  Will  of  John  Pott. 
In  the  Name  of  God  Amen  the  Twelth  day  of  Ffebruaiy  1672  accord- 


62  The  Potts  Family  ix  Grkat  Britain. 

ing  to  the  computation  of  the  Churc'.i  of  England  I  John  Pott  of  tlie 
parish  of  Llanginick  in  the  County  of  Montomry  yeoman  being  of 
perfecSl  IMemory  «&:  Remembrance  praised  Ije  God  do  make  and  or- 
daine  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  in  manner  and  form  following 

Ffirst  I  bequeath  my  soule  into  the  hands  of  Almighty  God  my  ma- 
ker hoping  that  through  the  meritorious  death  and  passion  of  Jesus 
Christ  my  only  Saviour  and  Redeemer  to  receive  free  pardon  and  for- 
giveness of  all  my  sins  and  as  for  my  body  to  be  buried  in  Cristian 
burial  at  the  discretion  of  my  Executrix  hereafter  nominated 

Item     I  give  unto  m}-  son  Thomas  Pott  the  summe  of  Sixpence 

Item     I  give  unto  mj^  son  George  the  summe  of  Sixpence 

Item     I  give  unto  my  daughter  INIargaret  Sixpence 

Item     I  give  unto  my  daughter  Ales  [Alice]  Sixpence 

Item     I  give  unto  my  daughter  Elizabeth  Sixpence 

Item     I  give  unto  my  daughter  Anne  Sixpence 

Item  I  give  unto  my  daughter  Sarah  one  Cow  one  two  yeare  old 
heifer  two  yeareling  calfes  one  Mare  one  Fillie  and  Eighteene  sheepe 
with  all  manner  of  graine  that  is  in  my  barne  and  in  the  ground  and 
all  the  rest  of  my  goods  whatsoever  upon  the  condition  that  she  shall 
pay  all  my  depts  and  legacies  and  make  her  sole  Executrix  of  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament  revoking  all  other  Wills  and  Testaments 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seale  the  day 
&  yeare  first  above  written 

the  Marke  of  John  PoTT  [ls] 

The  mark  of  John  t  PoTT 

The  marke  of  dd  R  E  Rees 

The  marke  of  Thomas  t  Pott 

The  marke  of  Edward  E  Jarman 

Morgan  Evans        [Clerk] 

Proved  in  the  Consistory  Court  of  the  Bishop  of  Bangor  21*'  of 
May   1673 

The  Inventory  of  John  Pott's  Personal  Effe<5ls. 

A  true  &  perfedl  Inventon*-  of  all  ye  good  catels  &  Chattels  house- 
hold stuflFe  implements  of  husbandry  &  Come  of  ye  decedent  John 
Pott  prised  by  Charles  Hamer  &  David  Jenkin  husljandmen,  prisers, 
upon  ye  eighteenth  of  flfebruary  Aniio  etm  [query  etiaui?]  1672. 

I'first  /    s  d 

Item  one  cow  prised  i   10  o 

Item  one  two  yeare  old  heifer  pr   -  15  - 

Item  one  yeare  old  bolock   pr  -  10  - 


The  Family  in  Wales.  63 

Item  one  yeare  old  heifer  pr  -  lo  - 

Item  one  old  Jlare    prised  -     6  - 

Item  Eighteen  slieepes  of  all  sorts  prisd 200 

Item  one  pig  prised  -16 

Item  l\vo  hens  -     -  6 

Item  one  IvOonie  with  all  ye  implement  thereunto  be- 

longeing  pr  -  15  o 

Item  Two  bedstids  with  their  appurtenances  prised  -  15  o 

Item  one  Iron  pott  one  brand[awl?  or  are?] 
Item  one  Boxston  one  little  Iron  pan  one  pare  of  Tungs 
one  paire  of  Iron  Links  with  all  the  rest  af  his  wooden 

vessels  all  together  prisd   -     7  - 

Item  Gates  prisd   -     5  ~ 

Item  Oatemeal  Cheese  and  one  fleetch  of  backen  pr  -     5  - 

Item  wearing  apparel  pr    -  10  - 

W  sses  vSum  Tott     S  13     o 

John  Lloyd 

Edward  Hadfield  Signum  3 

ye  marke  of  (  GEORGE  PoTT  David  Jenkin 

JIORGAN  Evans  Signu  Charle  C  H  Hamer 

Chii^dren  of  John  \nd  Anne  (Pott)  Pott. 

6  Thomas  Pott. 

7  John  Pott.     Named  in  his  grandfather's  will  in  1654,  but  not  by 

his  father  in  1672;  probably  deceased. 

8  George  Pott. 

9  I^Iargaret  Pott. 

10  Ales  [Alice]  Pott. 

1 1  Elizabeth  Pott. 

12  Anne  Pott. 
15  Sarah  Pott. 


3  Eliz.\beth  Pott,  daughter  of  Tlioma.s,  married  Wil- 
liam Pound  or  Bound.  They  resided  in  the  Township  of 
Dithenith  in  the  Parish  of  Ivlanditiam.  In  1668,  William 
Bound  and  his  wife  were  presented  at  the  Great  Sessions  at 
Poole,  charged  with  absenting  themselves  from  attendance 
upon  divine  worship  in  their  Parish  Church.  From  this  it 
appears  probable  that  they  had  united  with  the  Friends  or 


64  Thk  Potts  Family  im  Great  Britain. 

Quakers  who  were  then  undergoing  severe  persecution,  at 
the  instigation  of  the  Established  Church.  William  Bound 
died  about  1678  or  9.  His  will  dated  24  April,  1678,  and 
proven  6  March,  1679,  is  on  file  in  the  Consistory  Court  at 
Bangor,  North  Wales.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  will 
and  inventory  as  the}-  appear  on  file. 

The  Will  of  William  Bound. 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  y^  24"'  day  of  April  in  the  yeare  of  the 
Reign  of  our  Sovereigne  Lord  Charles  the  Second  King  of  England 
Scotland  Fraunce  and  Ireland  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  1678 

I  William  Bound  of  the  parish  of  Llandinam  in  the  County  of  Mont- 
gomery yeoman  being  sick  in  body  but  of  good  and  perfect  memory 
praises  be  unto  the  Lord  God  do  make  this  my  last  Will  and  testa- 
ment in  manner  and  forme  as  followeth 

first  I  give  and  bequeath  my  soul  unto  the  Almighty  God  my  Crea- 
tor and  iinto  Jesus  Christ  nn^  Redeemer  by  whose  merits  I  hope  to  re- 
ceive pardon  for  my  sinnes  and  to  inherit  Eternal  glor}-  and  my  body 
to  be  buried  in  the  Earth  at  the  discretion  of  mine  Executors  and  as 
for  my  temporall  goods  I  dispose  as  followeth 

Imprimis  I  give  unto  my  sonn  Thomas  Bound  my  Right  and  tittle 
for  half  of  the  premises  wherein  I  now  live  and  hold  by  lease  from  M'' 
David  Powell  Esquire  and  the  other  moiety  I  give  and  bequeath  unto 
Elizabeth  my  weded  weife  dureing  her  naturall  life  and  afterwards 
unto  my  sonn  Thomas  Bound  in  case  that  he  shall  pay  within  the 
compas  of  two  whole  j-eares  next  after  he  is  possessed  of  the  whole 
premises  the  sum  of  Ten  pounds  unto  my  second  sonn  William  Bound 

Item  I  give  unto  William  Bound  my  secon.d  sonn  the  sum  of  Twen- 
ty pounds  to  be  paid  unto  him  at  the  feast  of  Saint  mcael  [sic]  which 
shall  be  in  the  yeare  of  oi:r  Lord  god  one  thousand  six  hundred  & 
eighty 

Item  I  give  unto  my  sonn  Joseph  Bownd  the  sum  of  Twenty  pounds 
to  be  paid  unto  him  when  he  shall  accomplish  the  full  age  of  Twenty 
one  yeares 

Item  I  give  vmto  my  sonn  Benjamin  Bownd  the  sum  of  Twenty 
pounds  to  be  paid  unto  him  when  he  shall  accomplish  the  full  age  of 
Twenty  one  years 

Item  I  give  unto  my  daughter  Anne  the  wife  of  David  Jones  the 
sum  of  five  shillings. 

Item  I  give  unto  my  daughter  Elizabeth  Bownd  the  sum  of  Ten 
pounds  to  Ije  paid  unto  her  at  the  feast  of  Saint  micael  which  shall  be 


The  Family  in  Wales.  65 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  one  thousand  six  eighty  and  one  And 
my  Will  is  that  if  any  of  these  my  children  shall  die  before  the  days 
of  payment  herein  Limeted  that  then  the  portion  of  him  or  her  so  dic- 
ing shall  eqaly  be  divided  between  all  the  rest 

Item  my  Will  is  that  my  Executors  hereinafter  nominated  shall 
erect  a  house  or  shop  for  my  son  Jeremy  Bownd  against  such  time  that 
he  shall  be  free  from  his  master  where  he  and  they  think  fitt  and  to 
procure  him  such  tooles  that  are  fitt  for  the  geting  up  of  his  trade  and 
to  maintain  him  with  meat  drink  washing  and  beding  and  pasture  for 
a  horse  for  six  whole  yeares 

Item  I  do  nominate  Elizabeth  my  weded  weife  and  Thomas 
Bownd  my  Eldest  sonne  jointly  for  to  be  my  Sole  Exececututors  [sic] 
of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  for  to  pay  my  depts  and  these  leg- 
acies and  to  discharge  my  funeral  expensis 

Allso  I  do  appoint  Thomas  Marple  my  brother  in  law  and  Richard 
Hamer  my  neviyu  to  be  over  seers  of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament 
Revoking  all  other  Wills 

I  hereunto  the  day  and  yeare  above  written  have  put  my  hand  and 
seale  William  Bound  (ls) 

Witnesses    Richard  Hamer    Thomas  Marple    John  Potte 

Proved  in  the  Consistory  Court  of  the  Bishop  of  Bangor  6th  March 
1678-9 

Inventory  of  William  Bound's  Personal  Effetfts. 

A  true  and  perfect  Inventor}-  of  all  the  Goods  Catels  and  Chatels  of 
William  Bound  latelie  disecased  veyued  valued  and  prised  by  us  as 
foUoweth 

/      s       d 

Imprimis  foure  oxen  13      o       o 

Item  foure  kine  and  calves  9     10      o 

Item  eight  cowes  16      o      o 

Item  seaven  three  yeare  old  beasts 15      5      o 

Item  seaven  two  yeare  old  beasts  10      5      o 

Item  nine  yeare  old  beasts   600 

Item  foure  horses  of  all  sorts 500 

Item  thirty  eight  ship  [sheepj  of  all  sorts  600 

Item  household  stufe  and  implements  of  husbandry  8      o      o 

Item  Wearing  aparell  150 

Item  Come  and  grain 200 

Item  Swine  and  poultry —     10    — 

prisers  intoto         ^^92     15       o 

Evan  Morris    Richard  Hamer 
9 


66 


T}{i-:  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 


ChILDKKN   ok    Wnj.IAM   AND    KUZABETH  ( POTT )  BOUXD. 

1 6  Thomas  Bound, 

17  William  Bound, 
iS     Jost-ph  Bound. 

19  Benjamin  Bound, 

20  Jeremy  Bound. 

21  Anne  Bound,  m.  David  Jones, 

22  Elizabeth  Bound. 

The   tabulated   exhibit  given  below  will  .show  the  con- 
nedtioii  of  the  family  as  gathered  from  the  foregoing  wills. 

The  Potts  of  Llangirrrig,  Wales. 

Thomas  Pott=: 

b. , 

d.  1658? 


John  Pott=Annfc  Pott     Elizabeth=\Villiam     Evan  Pott=    John  Pott 
1  I  Bound  I  = 


Thomas  Pott   ]Margaret  Thomas      Benjamin  A  dan.       A  child 

George  Pott     Alice  William     Jeremy  ^Margaret 

John  Pott         Elizabeth  Joseph        Anne=David  Jones 

Anne  Elizabeth 

Sarah 


Some  if  not  all  the  family  became  members  of  the  Socie- 
ty of  Friends.  There  probably  was  a  Friends  Meeting  estab- 
li.shed  in  this  vicinit}^  but  no  records  are  known  to  be  in 
existence  at  this  day.  It  is  well-known  that  many  Friends 
came  to  Pennsj^lvania  from  that  se(5lion  of  Wales  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  they  maj'  have 
carried  such  records  as  they  had  with  them,  as  was  some- 
times done  where  the  whole  membership  removed  in  a  body. 

These  devoted  people  suffered  persecution  in  common  with 
those  of  other  se(5lions.  The  following  ' '  Montgomerj^ 
Nonconformity  Extradls  from  the  Goal  Files  with  Notes, 


The  Family  in  Wales.  67 

by  R.  Williams,  F.  R.  Hist.  S."  have  been  seledled  from 
ColleBions  Historical  and  Archaological  Relatiyig  to  Montgovi- 
eryshii-e  and  its  Borders,  issued  by  the  Powys  Land  Club  for 
the  use  of  its  members  and  published  at  London.  We  give 
memoranda  of  Thomas  and  John  Pott,  and  of  some  of  their 
neighbors  whose  family  names  are  quite  familiar. 

Vol.  XXIV,  Page  207. 

1668.  At  the  Great  Sessions  held  at  Poole  the  19th  April,  20  Ch.  II, 
the  Grand  Jury  made  the  following  Presentments.      *        *        *        * 

We  p'sent  William  Bownd  and  his  wife  for  absenting  themselves 
from  their  p'ish  church  at  the  time  of  Devane  service  for  the  space  of 
3  months  last  past,  thej-  being  inhabitants  of  ye  Township  af  Dithe- 
nith. 

Georgde  Jenkin  of  ye  same,  for  the  like. 

Vol.  XXIV,  Pages  229-230. 

1675.  Att  ye  Greate  Sessions  held  att  Poole  in  ye  s'd  County,  ye 
fifth  day  of  Apr'll  Anno  RRx  Carol'  Secundi  Nunc  Anglie  et  xxvij 
Annoque  D'ni  1675. 

We  p'sent  David  Owen,  of  ye  p'she  of  Llanguricke,  in  ye  S'd  coun- 
ty, yeom.  for  yt  hee  for  j-e  space  of  haulfe  a  yeare  and  upwards  last 
past,  hath  and  as  yett  doth  absent  himselfe  from  his  p'she  church  to 
heare  divine  Service  and  Sermon. 

Edward  Jarman,  of  ye  p'she  of  Llanguricke,  in  ye  s'd  county  yeom 

John  Pott  of  ye  same,  yeom. 

Thomas  Pott  of  ye  same,  yeom,  for  ye  like. 

Griffith  Jarman  of  ye  same  yeom,  for  ye  like. 

D'd  Jenkin  of  ye  same,  yeom.  and  Jane  his  wife,  for  ye  like. 

Sarah  Rees  of  ye  same,  for  ye  like. 

James  Hamer,  of  Llangirricke  aforesaid,  for  ye  like. 

Besse'  s  Sufferings  of  the  People  Called  Quakers  has  the  fol- 
lowing in  Volume  I,  at  page  757. 

Anno  1677.  On  the  i8th  day  of  the  Month  called  July,  two  Priests, 
viz.,  Hugh  Wilson,  Priest  of  Trefeglwys,  and  Isaac  Lloyd,  Priest  of 
Llanidles,  gave  Information  of  a  Meeting  at  the  House  of  John  Jar- 
man, at  Llanidles  in  Montgomeryshire ;  upon  which,  the  Mayor  with 
Constables   came   thither,  and  committed  seven  of  the  Assembly  to 


68  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Prison,  and  fined  others,  who  had  their  Cattle  seized  for  their  Fines, 
viz. 

John  I'otts,  one  Cow  and  six  yearling  Beasts  worth, £12  10    o 

Griffith  Jarman,  five  Young  Beasts  worth 7   10    o 

John  Roberts,  a  Cow  worth 300 

John  Jamian,  a  Cow  worth  2  10    o 

David  Owen,  an  Horse  worth 200 

27    10    o 


The  complete  correspondence  with  the  Clerk  of  H.  M. 
Probate  Registry  at  Bangor,  North  Wales,  is  here  given,  in 
the  belief  that  it  will  be  helpful  to  the  future  investigator, 
not  only  showing  ftill}'  what  has  been  done,  but  because  of 
the  additional  fadts  therein  set  forth.  H.  M.  Probate  Reg- 
istr}'  at  S.  Asaph,  North  Wale,  was  also  examined  down  to 
1729,  but  the  name  of  Pott  or  Potts  was  not  found. 

From  William  John  Potts  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Probate  Office,  Bangor. 

HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

1300  Locust  St.,  Philadelphia,  U.  S.  A. 

March  i,   1892. 
Mv  Dear  Sir: 

Some  years  since  an  American  friend  travelling  abroad  copied 
for  me  the  will  of  one  "  Thomas  Pott  of  the  Parish  of  Llangirricke  co. 
of  Montgomer}-,  yeoman,"  made  nth  day  of  August  1654.  Proved  8, 
September  1661.  He  omitted  apparently  some  part  of  it.  I  wish 
very  much  to  have  an  exacfl  copy  word  for  word  of  the  whole  will,  al- 
so in  like  manner  that  of  John  Pott,  made  the  12th  day  of  February' 
1672  "of  ye  parish  of  Llangirricke  in  the  Co.  of  Montgomery  yeo- 
man."    Proven  May  i,  1673. 

In  the  will  of  the  fir.st  mentioned  Thomas  Pott  mention  is  made  of 
his  son-in-law  William  Pound.  This  under  date  of  1654.  It  is  reason- 
able to  presume  that  the  said  William  Pound's  will  is  to  be  found 
some  time  between  1654  and  1700.  I  should  like  also  a  copy  of  his 
will.  There  are  attached  to  the  will  of  John  Pott  the  names  of  two 
persons,  E.  Rees  and  E.  Jarman.  This  was  in  1672.  I  desire  a  copj' 
of  their  wills  which  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  may  be  found  between 
that  date  and  the  year  1700. 


The  Family  in  Wales.  69 

Not  being  knoAvn  to  you  I  will  either  send  the  fees  for  copying  these 
four  wills  in  advance  by  money  order,  or  refer  j-ou  to  my  friend  Mr. 
Frederick  D.  Stone,  the  Chief  Librarian  of  the  Historical  Society  of 
Pennsylvania,  of  which  I  have  been  a  member  twenty  two  j^ears 
and  where  I  am  well  known. 

There  are  many  descendants  of  those  who  came  from  North  Wales 
living  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  vicinity,  members  of  this  Society,  who 
if  they  knew  they  could  get  certain  wills  either  copied  entire  or  ex- 
tracts made  would  send  similar  orders. 

Would  you  let  me  know  the  names  from  the  index  of  persons  named 
Jenkins  between  1630  and  1649  or  perhaps  a  few  years  later  with  dates. 
I  may  desire  also  to  have  a  will  of  one  bearing  this  name  if  it  fits  into 
ni}'  evidences. 

I  am  Truly  Yours 

William  John  Potts 

The  Probate  Office 

Bangor,  North  Wales. 


H.  Beaver  Roberts  to  WiUiam  John  Potts. 

H.  M.  Probate  Registry,  Bangor,  North  Wales 

14th  March  1892 
Dear  Sir, 

In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  ist  instant  received  this  morning, 
I  have  to  inform  you  that  by  the  rules  of  the  Court  of  Probate,  I  have 
to  require  the  fees  &  charges  for  copies  of  wills  &  searches  to  be  paid 
in  advance.  The  charges  for  the  copies  of  the  wills  of  Thomas  Pott  & 
John  Pott  will  amount  to  13/8.  The  will  of  Thomas  Pott  is  in  a  very 
dilapidated  state,  parts  of  it  being  eaten  away  by  time  &  damp.  I  have 
no  registers  prior  to  1636 — none  for  the  years  1639  ^  ^640  &  none  for 
the  years  1649  to  1660  both  inclusive.  I  can  only  search  therefore  un- 
der the  name  Jenkins  from  1636  to  1648  omitting  1639  &  1640.  For  the 
will  of  William  Pound  from  1660  to  1700,  and  for  E.  Rees  &  E.  Jarman 
for  the  periods  which  you  name — from  1672  to  1700. 

My  charges  for  making  the  searches  would  amount  to  ^i-13-io, 
which  added  to  13/8  for  copies  of  the  two  wills  above  mentioned 
will  make  the  amount  to  be  remitted,  ^2-7-6,  which  I  will  thank  you 
to  send  if  you  desire  to  proceed. 

I  think  it  probable  that  the  copy  w^hich  you  have  of  the  wll   of 
Thomas  Pott  is  corre(5l  as  far  as  it  can  be  deciphered. 
Yours  faithfully 

H.  Beaver  Roberts 
William  John  Potts,  Esq. 


70  The  Potts  Fa!\iily  in  Great  Britain. 

William  John  Potts  to  H.  Beaver  Roberts. 

529  Cooper  Street,  Camden,  New  Jersey,  U.  S.  A. 

March  25,  1892. 
My  Dear  Sir 

This  morning  I  received  your  prompt  answer  in  regard  to  copy- 
ing the  wills  of  Thomas  Pott  1654  and  John  Pott  1672  and  making 
searches  for  the  other  names  mentioned  in  my  letter.  I  enclose,  or  I 
should  more  correcflly  say  that  I  have  sent  a  money  order  to  your  ad- 
dress this  day  for  two  pounds,  .seven  shillings  and  sixpence, — £2-']-^. 

I  thank  you  for  the  frank  statement  that  j'ou  think  the  copy  of  the 
will  of  Thomas  Pott  which  I  have  is  probably  correct  as  far  as  it  can 
be  deciphered.  It  may  be  so,  but  in  the  genealogy  which  I  am  about 
publishing  I  wish  to  be  absolutely  certain.  If  you  would  kindly  en- 
close any  ver}'  doubtful  words  in  square  brackets  with  an  interrogation 
mark  I  would  be  obliged. 

I  ought  to  state  that  the  person  named  Jarman  appears  to  be  one  Ed- 
ward Jarman,  or  Jennin  or  Jarmin.  Do  I  understand  you  that  you 
have  no  wills  in  your  office  or  letters  of  administration  before  1636?  or 
simply  no  index  ?  and  may  I  ask  if  you  know  in  what  part  of  Wales 
or  England  such  wills,  etc.,  relating  to  the  County  of  Montgomery',  if 
in  existence,  could  be  found  ?  My  objecfl  is  a  purely  genealogical  one 
and  I  know  the  parish  register  of  L,languric  now  existing  does  not 
cover  the  period  of  the  deaths  of  the  two  persons  of  my  name. 

It  is  not  a  little  singular  that  the  peculiar  names  of  Pound  and  Jar- 
min appear  in  the  early  colony  of  Pennsylvania,  also  the  more  com- 
mon one  of  that  of  Kinsey,  who  was  one  of  the  appraisers  of  Thomas 
Pott's  will,  and  a  "  James  Kinsey  "  also.  Jenkins  at  the  same  time 
occvirs  here  among  the  Welsh  settlers  who  named  many  parts  of  their 
settlements  here  for  their  old  homes  in  Wales.  The  name  of  course  is 
common  enough.  Those  of  the  present  day  are  a  highly  respectable 
family.  The  descendants  of  those  named  Roberts  who  came  from 
Wales  are  well  known  here  also.  You  can  send  the  paper  to  the  ad- 
dress at  the  head  of  this  letter,  m}-  house  address,  as  it  will  reach  me 
a  little  quicker.  Truly  yours 

William  John  Potts 

H.  Beaver  Roberts.  Esq. 

H.  Beaver  Roberts  to  William  John  Potts. 

H.  M.  Probate  Registry,   Bangor. 

ly^  April  1892. 
My  Dear  Sir 

I  now  send  you  copies  of  the  Wills  of  Thomas  Pott  and  John  Pott 


The  Family  in  Wales.  71 

the  former  is  not  strictly  a  fac-simile  copy,  as  some  of  the  blank  spaces 
in  the  original  are  larger  than  those  shown  in  the  copy,  the  blanks 
being  caused  not  by  any  illegible  or  doubtful  words,  but  from  the  pa- 
per being  rotted  awa}'  entirely  through  damp.  In  my  letter  of  the 
14th  of  March  I  said  I  had  no  indexes  or  wills  prior  to  1636,  I  should 
have  said  prior  to  1635.  I  believe  that  in  1634  the  cathedral  at  Bangor 
was  destoyed  by  fire  and  that  the  Registry  which  was  within  the 
building  was  destro}'ed  at  the  same  time. 

It  was  not  usual  in  those  days  to  go  outside  the  Diocese  to  prove 
Vv'ills  or  to  take  out  administrations,  though  it  might  have  been  done 
in  the  Prerogative  Court  of  Canterbury  at  Doctor's  Commons  in  Lon- 
don, and  an^-  wills  proved  or  administrations  granted  there  would 
now  be  at  the  Principal  Registry  of  the  Court  of  Probate,  Somerset 
House,  London,  but  I  do  not  suppose  that  any  would  be  found  there 
except  of  persons  of  distinction  having  a  residence  in  London. 

I  have  searched  as  requested  for  the  will  of  William  Pound  and  find 
in  1678  the  will  of  one  William  Bound  of  Llandinam,  yeoman,  and  I 
also  notice  in  1661  the  will  of  Thomas  Bound  of  Llangerig.  William 
Bound  appointed  his  v^dfe  Elizabeth  and  his  son  Thomas  Executors  and 
the  will  was  witnessed  by  Rich**  Hamer,  Tho''  Marple  and  John  Pottes. 
The  parishes  of  Llangerrig  and  Llandinam  are  near  to  each  other  and 
both  are  in  the  county  of  Montgomery. 

In  1675  I  fi'^*i  the  will  of  one  Evan  Rees  of  Llangerrig.  His  wife's 
name  was  Catharine  Lewis  and  his  eldest  son  Lewis  Evan.  In  those 
days  and  down  to  a  late  period  it  was  customary  for  a  wife  to  retain 
her  maiden  name  and  for  the  eldest  son  to  adopt  his  father's  Christian 
name  as  his  surname,  the  testator  signed  his  name  in  full,  the  witness 
E.  Rees  to  the  will  of  John  Pott  signed  by  mark — they  may  or  may 
not  have  been  one  and  the  same  person. 

My  search  for  the  will  of  E.  Jarman  was  not  successful.  In  1675  I 
found  the  will  of  Audrey  Jarman,  widow  of  Llangerrig,  leaving  an  on- 
ly son  John  and  two  daughters  Alice  and  Ursula,  and  in  1662  I  find 
administration  to  Arthur  Jarman  of  Llangerrig.  I  have  searched  from 
1635  to  1669,  omitting  the  years  for  which  I  have  no  registers  as  stated 
in  my  letter  of  the  14th  of  March,  but  failed  to  find  any  person  of  the 
name  of  Jenkins  except  Hugonis  ap  Tho^  ap  Jenkin  of  Llandinam, 
whose  will  was  proved  1635.  Lewis  ap  John  ap  Jenkin  of  Towyn 
whose  will  was  proved  in  1644  (Towyn  is  in  Merionithshire),  and  Jen- 
kin ap  Jenkins  of  Llanbeblig  (in  Carnarvonshire)  whose  will  was  also 
proved  in  1644.  I  also  noticed  the  will  of  Evan  David  Jenkin  of 
Llangerrig,  proved  in  1669,  and  an  administration  of  David  Jenkin 
Morris  of  Llangerrig  also  in  1669.     The  costs  of  the  copies  of  the  wills 


72  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

of  William  Bound  and  Evan  Rees,  should  you  wish  to  have  them,  vdll 

be  /I-3-S 

Yours  faithfully 

H.  Beaver  Roberts 
\Vm.  John  Potts,  Esq. 


William  John  Potts  to  H.  Beaver  Roberts. 

529  Cooper  Street,  Camden,  New  Jersey,  U.  S.  A. 

May  9,  1892. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  copies  of  the  \\-ills  of  Thomas  Pott,  1654,  and  John  Pott.  1672, 
arrived  safely  a  few  days.  Thank  you  very  much  for  the  careful  and 
most  satisfactory  manner  in  which  they  are  copied,  having  been  an 
amatuer  genealogist  for  twenty  two  years,  I  can  appreciate  a  good 
piece  of  work  of  that  kind  and  am  obliged  for  the  points  given  me  on 
the  otlier  wills. 

The  copy  of  Thomas  Pott's  will  1654  shows  me  that  he  left  at  least 
two  sons  Evan  and  John,  and  the  former  at  that  time,  judging  from 
the  fragmentary  "  hter  one  yearlinge  sheepe  "  after  his  name  is  indic- 
ative that  he  was  married  and  had  at  least  one  child.  All  this  seems 
to  have  escaped  my  American  friend  when  he  made  some  extradls 
from  this  will  in  1875  or  1877.  He  was  a  man  of  leisure  and  much  ex- 
perience in  antiquarian  researches  and  it  may  be  possible  that  he  was 
not  acquainted  with  the  use — legal  usage — of  the  word  ' '  nrall  ' '  [nat- 
ural], and  wanted  to  spare  mj*  feelings,  but  I  hardly  think  so.  The 
legal  use  of  the  word  "  natural,"  chiefly  written  in  your  legal  papers 
down  to  a  very  late  period  ' '  natural  and  lawlul ' '  is  what  is  meant  and 
not  the  colloquial  use  of  the  word  which  for  two  centuries  in  ordinary- 
speech  has  meant  illegitimate.  This  is  more  evident  to  me  in  this  case 
as  the  testator  in  the  first  place  in  which  it  is  used  wishes  to  distin- 
guish that  "Anne  [Pott]  my  nrall  daughter  wife  of  the  said  John 
Pott  "  was  not  his  daughter-in-law  but  his  own  daughter  of  his  blood, 
"  natural  and  lawful."  It  is  her  eight  children  of  whom  he  speaks  as 
"  being  unmarried, "  that  is  also  plainly  evident  to  me.  There  are 
some  very  learned  articles  in  Notes  &  Queries  on  the  use  of  the  word 
"natural,"  and  the  new  American  Dictionary,  the  Century,  has  given 
this  meaning.  May  I  not  ask  if  this  is  not  your  understanding  of  the 
word  in  this  instance ?  Moreover  the  "Thomas  Hardinge  clerk  "  who 
drew  up  this  will  has  an  English  name  and  would  give  the  English 
use  whatever  may  be  the  Welsh  custom.  Scotch  use  of  the  words  "Al- 
ius naturalis  "  is  said  to  be  different.     At  a  later  period  than   1654  we 


The  Family  in  WalEvS.  73 

find  that  eminent  Knglish  scholar  Anthony  a  Wood  using  the  expres- 
sion So-and-So  third  natural  son  of  So-and-So,  showing  that  even  then 
in  English  common  colloquial  speech  the  word  "natural"  had  not 
attained  its  present  meaning  of  "  illegitimate." 

Please  copy  for  me  the  will  of  William  Bound  of  Llandinam,  and  the 
inventory  if  it  exists  and  is  not  a  long  paper.  Beside  the  evidence 
wliich  you  send  me  I  have  some  other  which  makes  me  come  to  the 
conclusion  this  was  not  the  Evan  Rees  I  am  in  search  of,  a  possible 
kinsman  of  Thomas  Pott,  will  1654.  Therefore  his  will  would  be  of 
no  service.  As  to  David  Jenkin  of  Llangurrig  will  1669  and  David 
Jenkin  Morris'  administration,  of  the  same  place,  1669,  they  cannot  be 
the  David  Jenkins  I  am  in  search  of,  who  in  1672  was  one  of  the  ap- 
praisers of  John  Pott's  goods  and  chattels.  I  have  evidence  that  this 
David  Jenkins  was  living  as  late  as  1675.  Therefore  if  you  have  not 
searched  for  his  name  from  1675  to  say  1700  please  do  so,  and  give 
me  some  brief  data  of  his  will.  His  wife's  name  will  show  me  if  it  is 
the  one  I  seek  and  if  I  wish  his  will  copied. 

The  fadl  is  there  must  have  been  in  these  places,  a  number  bearing 
my  family  name  who  as  they  adhered  strongly  to  the  faith  of  the  Qua- 
kers, nearly  all  their  little  farming  stock  and  household  goods  were 
seized  to  pay  fines  for  absenting  themselves  from  church  and  attend- 
ing meetings  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  David  Jenkins  was  also  a 
Quaker,  so  were  the  Jarmans,  and  I  find  also  one  named  Rees,  and 
William  Bound  of  Llandinam  would  go  to  meeting  in  1668  whether 
his  "  parish  priest  "  liked  it  or  not,  and  they  all  suffered  in  conse- 
quence. 

We  find  in  Pennsylvania  in  1680  and  shortly  after  a  number  of 
these  Welsh  Quakers  from  Montgomeryshire,  the  Jarmans,  and  I  be- 
lieve ever}'  Potts  who  came  of  this  family  except  one  or  two,  and 
most  of  them  founded  families  of  considerable  prominence  and  dis- 
tinclion.  One,  the  Potts'  of  Pottsgrove,  now  Pottstown,  were  one  of 
the  most  influential  colonial  families  shortly  after  1700,  and  are  to  this 
day  at  their  homes  in  Pottstown,  Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania, 
well  known  and  respedtable.  I  may  speak  without  egotism  of  this 
family  for  I  come  of  a  different  line. 

Pardon  this  long  letter.  I  have  a  deep  interest  in  the  most  trifling 
details  of  this  genealog3',  and  I  shall  be  greatly  obliged  if  you  will 
kindly  note  at  any  time  the  merest  mention  even  of  the  name  of  Pott 
in  any  will,  administration,  inventory  or  account  book,  for  with  the 
dates  and  evidences  already  in  my  possession,  such  apparently  trifling 
mention  is  of  great  service. 

To  recapitulate,  the  wills  desired  to  be  copied  are  William  Bound's 
10 


74  '•I'hk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

with  iiivenUiry  1678,  provided  the  inventory  is  not  a  long  paper  ;  the 
inventory  of  Jolui  Pott  will  of  1672  ;  the  Thomas  Pott  inventory-  1654  ; 
searches  for  David  Jenkins'  will  between  1675  and  1700,  or  his  widow's 
will  if  any.     These  are  searches  only  for  Jenkins. 

I  have  this  day,  May  9,  sent  enclosed  a  postal  order  for  two  pounds 
eight  shillings  or  thereabout.s  which  will  pay  for  these  I  suppose. 
Please  credit  me  with  any  balance  as  I  intend  to  have  the  parish  reg- 
isters searched  which  will  show  what  other  wills  I  may  want.  When 
I  finish  with  this  publication,  I  shall  publish  an  article  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Magazine  of  History  and  Biograph}%  which,  containing  some 
account  of  the  North  Wales  wills,  will  bring  you  some  work,  especial- 
ly as  we  have  recently  founded  a  Penna.  Geneal.  Soc.  which  has  252 
members.  Truly  Yours 

WiLijAM  John  Potts 

H.  Bk.wkr  Roberts 


H.  Beaver  Roberts  to  William  John  Potts. 

District  Probatk  Registry,  Bangor. 

1 5'  July  1892 
Dear  Sir 

As  requested  by  your  letter  of  the  g'**  of  May  last  I  send  you  a 
copy  of  the  will  of  William  Bound,  and  of  the  Inventory,  a  copy  of 
the  Inventory  of  John  Pott,  and  that  of  Thomas  Pott  as  far  as  it  can 
be  deciphered.     It  is  in  a  very  dilapidated  state. 

I  have  searched  for  and  found  a  will  of  David  Jenkin  described  as  of 
the  parish  of  Llangirricke  in  the  county  of  Montgomery,  gentleman. 
The  will  is  dated  the  8th  of  January  1684,  and  was  proved  on  the  15th 
of  May  1685.  The  testator  left  legacies  of  a  shilling  a  piece  to  his 
sons  John  and  Rees  and  to  his  daughters  Dorothy,  Elenor  and  Catha- 
rine, and  all  the  rest  of  his  property  to  his  wife  Elizabeth  whom  he 
appointed  Executrix  and  who  proved  the  will.  I  searched  for  her 
will  down  to  1700  but  did  not  find  it. 

I  received  your  postal  order  for  ^2-9-4,  but  I  am  afraid  there  is  no 
balance  with  which  I  can  credit  you.  The  official  fees  for  which  I 
have  to  account  to  the  government  for  the  copies  enclosed  &  for  the 
search  for  the  will  of  David  Jenkin  amount  to  ^1-13-6,  leaving  15/10 
to  cover  my  remuneration  for  collating  the  copies  and  attending  to 
make  the  search  and  the  correspondence.  The  usual  charges  would 
amount  to  much  more,  but  I  will  be  satisfied  in  this  instance  with  the 
15/ 10,  but  it  must  not  be  made  a  precedent.  The  trouble  involved  is 
probably  much  greater  than  you  think. 


The  Family  in  Wai,es.  75 

I  agre3  Avith  you  that  the  word  "  natural  "  as  applied  to  a  child  in  a 
will  by  no  means  implies  illegitimacy.  Its  proper  meaning  is  the 
child  of  one's  body,  and  though  it  is  popularly  iised  as  equivalent  to 
bastard  it  cannot  be  taken  to  have  that  meaning  in  a  will  or  formal 
docimient  in  which  the  proper  description  would  be  "illegitimate"  or 
"  reputed." 

The  will  of  David  Jenkin  is  not  a  long  one,  but  it  does  not  contain 
anything  material  beyond  what  I  have  told  you.  It  is  witnessed  by 
William  Davis,  Jenkin  Davis,  Morris  Davis  and  Morgan  Evans,  no 
residences  or  callings  being  given.  I  have  been  rather  long  in  attend- 
ing to  j-our  last  letter,  owing  to  a  pre.ssure  of  work  in  my  registry. 
Yours  faithfully 

H.  Bkavkr  Roberts 

Wii^LiAM  John  Potts,  Eso. 


The  Potts*  of  Mannington^  Noi-folk* 

A  family  of  Potts'  was  long  seated  at  Mannmgton  in  the 
county  of  Norfolk.  It  has  been  claimed  by  some  that  they 
were  of  the  Cheshire  family,  but  the  accotints  given  are  in 
some  sen.se  contradictor}'  and  misleading,  and  while  there  is 
some  similarit}'  both  as  to  famil}"  names  and  the  arms  borne, 
it  is  somewhat  doubtful  whether  they  were  of  kin.  Future 
researches  may  determine  the  matter.  This  family  became 
extincft  in  the  elder  line  in  1731.  The  following  account  of 
this  famil)^  is  taken  from  F.  Bloomfield's  History  of  the 
County  of  Norfolk,  Londoji,  iSoy,   Volume  VI,  pp.  463-468. 

Mannington.  In  the  Conquerer's  time  Earl  Gadrone(?) 
held  this  towii  which  was  then  of  the  annual  vahte  of  ^3, 
but  rose  to  ^4,  and  at  the  Conquerer's  vSurv^ey  was  worth 
^5-1-4,  and  20  s.  fine  or  income. 

Edmund  Dodge  and  his  sister  releasing  their  rights  to 
Anne,  their  si.ster,  who  was  fir.st  married  to  John  Potts  of 
this  town,  and  after  to  Sir  Christopher  Heydon,  Knt.,  of 
Brionsthorpe,  who  died  on  January  28,  1642,  aged  75,  and 
was  buried  at  Brionsthrope,  and  her  son  Sir  John  Potts  be- 
came lord  and  patron  of  the  Church. 


76  TiiK  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Tlie  family  of  Potts  was  very  anciently  seated  in  this 
town,  and  were  considerable  j-eomen  and  landowners.  Wil- 
liam Potts,  in  1274,  was  sued  by  Tirrel,  then  Lord,  for  en- 
croaching and  appropriating  to  himself  the  feed  [sic,  query 
fees  ?]  of  a  certain  highway  extending  from  Mannington  to 
the  Ker. 

The  first  that  raised  it  was  John,  son  of  Roger  Potts,* 
a  student  of  Lincoln's- Inn,  a  lawyer  of  eminence  and  repu- 
tation, who  married  Catharine  a  daughter  of  Philip  Boteler 
of  Woodhall  in  Hertfordshire,  Knt.,  and  had  a  grant  of 
arms  to  him  and  his  heirs,  from  Robert  Cooke,  Clarencieux' 
dated  1585,1  as  follows, 

Arms.     Azure  two  bars,  over  all  a  bend,  or. 

Crest.     An  ounce  sejailt  spotted,  collared  and  chained,  or. 

John  Potts,  Esq.,  his  son,  was  also  a  student  at  Lin- 
coln's-Inn,  and  married  Ann,  one  of  the  daughters  of  John 
Dodge,  Esq.,  and  is  buried  in  this  parish  church  under  an 
arched  monument,  on  the  north  side  of  the  altar.  No  in- 
scription now  remains.  On  it  are  the  arms  of  Potts  quar- 
tering with  Dodge, 

Arms.  Barry  of  six,  or  and  sable,  over  all  a  pile  with  a  plate  and 
gutte  de  lamie. 

He  died  about  the  year  1600. 

John  Potts,  Esq.,  his  son  and  heir  was  knighted  and  af- 
terwards created  a  baronet  by  letters  patent,  dated  August 
14,  1641.  He  married  Ursula,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Wil- 
loughby,  and  lies  buried  here  under  a  marble  gravestone, 
with  the  arms  of  Potts  and  Willoughby, 

Arms.     Or,  on  two  bars,  gules,  three  water  budgets,   2  and  i,  argt. 

and 


*  Note.    Some  authorities  allege  that  Roger  was  the  son  of  William  Potts, 
t  Note.    This  date  is /probably  a  misprint  and  should  be  1583. 


The  Mannington,  Norfolk,  Family.  77 

Here  l}'e  the  bodies  of  Sir  John  Potts,  Knt.  and  Bart.,  and  dame 
Ursula,  his  most  dearly  beloved  wife,  (one  of  the  daughters  of  Sir  John 
Willoughby  of  Risley  in  the  county  of  Darby,  Knt. )  who  being  hap- 
pily together  30  years  had  issue  3  sons,  John,  rrancis  and  Charles, 
and  one  daugliter  named  also  Ursula;  they  died  not  at  one  time,  and 
so  could  not  be  buried  in  one  grave;  yet  desired  to  be  so  near  as  un- 
der one  cover,  which  is  since  performed. 

Sir  John  Potts,  Bart.,  succeeded  his  father,  and  mar- 
ried, first,  Su.san,  daughter  of  Sir  John  Heveningham  of 
Ketteringham,  Knt.,  and  secondly,  EHzabeth,  daughter  of 
Sir  Samuel  Brown,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Common  Pleas, 
])y  whom  he  had  no  surviving  issue.     By  Susan  he  had 

Sir  Roger  Potts,  who  b}-  Mary,  the  daughter  and 
heiress  of  William  Davy  of  Great  EHingham,  had  four  sons 
and  a  daughter.  Sir  Roger  died  Odlober  14,  1711,  and  his 
lady  in  March  1701,    she  was  buried  at  Great  Ellingham. 

Sir  Algernon  Potts,  Bart.,  was  third  son  to  Sir  Rog- 
er, and  inherited  the  honour,  James  the  eldest  son  dying 
j-oung,  and  Philip  the  second  son  before  his  father.       He 

married  Frances,  daughter  and  coheiress  of Calibut  of 

Saham  Long,  relidt  of  Thomas  Crane  of  Norwich.  They 
are  both  buried  in  this  Church,  dying  both  in  November, 
1 71 7,  leaving  no  issue. 

Sir  Charles  Potts,  his  only  surviving  brother,  .suc- 
ceeded him,  who  was  a  citizen  and  merchant  tailor  of  Eon- 
don.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas  Newman, 
gent.,  of  Brionsthorpe,  who  died  September  2nd,  1706,  and 
was  buried  at  Great  Ellingham.  His  second  lady  was  Ma- 
ry Smith  of  Eondon,  but  having  no  issue  the  honour  was 
extincfl  in  him.  He  was  buried  in  this  Church  near  the  al- 
tar under  a  black  marble  gravestone,  with  this  inscription  : 

In  hope  of  a  joyful  resuredlion  here  under  lies  the  body  of  Sir  Charles 
Potts,  Bart.     He  died  January'  14,  in  1731,  aged  56  years. 

He  quartered  the  arms  ot  Dodge,  Eumner,  Davy,  Gourney, 
and  Bishop  of  Yarmouth  ;  who  bore 


78  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Arms.     Ari^ent,  on  a  Ijeiul  cottiseil  joules,  three  bezants. 

as  appear.s  by  his  ac]iie\-enieiit.  His  last  lady  survived  him, 
and  dying  February  7,  1736,  aged  61,  was  also  here  interred. 
vSu.san,  only  si.ster  of  Sir  Charles,  was  married  to  Matthew 
Long-  of  Dun.stan,  E.sqr.,  and  after  tlie  death  of  Lady  Potts 
this  manor  and  township,  with  the  advowson  was  conveyed 
to  the  Honorable  Horatio  Walpole,  Ksqr.,  the  present  lord. 

The  Parish  Church  is  a  small  pile,  built  by  the  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  the  arms  of  the  family  De  Valentia  being-  carved 
in  stone  over  the  door;  it  has  no  steeple  or  bell,  the  nave 
and  chancel  tiled,  but  no'>v  fallir.g  much  into  decay  ;  it  had 
till  lately  service  once  a  month.  Besides  the  inscriptions 
above  mentioned,  on  a  stone  with  a  brass  plate,  l^y  the 
south  side  of  the  altar,  is  this  : 

Here  lies  Katharine,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Lougher,  Redlor  of  Leth- 

eringset,  daughter  of  John  Polls,  Esqr.,  who  died  in  Odlober,  1631. 

Pedigree  of  the  PoUs  of  Mannington,   Norfolk. 
Roger  Potts= 


John  Potts,  granted  amis  in  i583=Catharine,  dau  of  Philip  Boteler 


John  Potts,   Esq.,   d.  about  i6co=Anne,   dan.  of  John  Dodge,  Esq. 


Sir  John  Potts  was  knighted=Ursula,  dan.  of         Katiiarine=Thomas 
and  in   1641   was  created  a  Sir  John  Wil-         d.  1631  Lough- 

baronet  loughby  er 


I  ^111 

Susan,  dau.^=Sir  John  Potts^Elizabeth,  dau,  of         Francis        Ursula 


of  Sir  John 
Hevening- 
ham 


Sir  Sani'l  Brown         Charles 


Sir  Roger  Potts,  d.  Odl.  14,  i7n=Mary,  dau.  William  Davy 


James        Sir  Algernon= Frances  Sir  Charles ^^Elizabelli  Newman         < 

Philip  rMary  Smith 

Susan=Matthew  Long 


The  Bedfordshire  Family.  79 

The  Potts^  of  Bedfordshire, 

A  family  of  considerable  prominence  and  high  standing 
is  found  in  Bedfordshire  in  the  sixteenth  century,  the  ear- 
liest entry  noticed  in  the  parish  records  being  in  1544.  The 
following  abstracts  are  from  Genealogica  Bedfordieiisis,  Be- 
ing a  Collenion  of  Evide^ices  Relating  Chiefly  to  the  Landed 
Gentry  of  Bedfordshire,  A.  D.  i^j8-iyoo.  Collected  out  of  the 
Parish  Register's;  i/ie  BisJwps'  Transcripts;  Early  Wills; 
Monumental  Inscriptions;  etc.,  etc.  Annotated  with  Copious 
Notes  By  Frederick  Augustus  Blaydes,  Editor  of  t lie  "  Visita- 
tions of  Bedfordshire,''  and  Bedfordshire  Notes  and  Queries. 
London,  Privately  Printed  for  the  Editor  at  tJie  Chesivick  Press. 
1 8  go. 

Chalgrave  Parish.     Baptisms. 

John  Pottes,  son  of  Raylphe. 

Nycolas  Pottes,  son  of  Raylphe, 

Richard,  son  of  Raylphe. 

Raylphe,  son  of  Raylphe. 

Anne  Pottes,  daughter  of  Raylphe. 

Mary  Pottes,  daughter  of  Rajdphe. 

Elizabeth  Pottes,  daughter  of  Raylphe. 

Richard  Pottes,  son  of  Raylphe. 

Frances  Pottes,  daughter  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Fareford  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

John  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Ralfe  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Fayreforde  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Frances  Pottes,  daughter  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Spencer  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Elizabeth  Pottes,  daughter  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Nicholas  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Pottes,  Croftes  &  Saunders,  sons  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Elizabeth  Pottes,  daughter  of  Farieforde,  gent. 

Elizabeth  Potts,  daughter  of  Sanders,  minister. 

Marie  Potts,  daughter  of  Spencer.* 

*  Note.  Mary,  daughter  and  heir  of  Spencer  Potts,  was  first  wife  to  the  Right 
Hon.  Sir  Robert  Booth,  of  Salford,  co,  Lancaster,  Knt.  She  was  buried  at  St.  Mi- 
chau'.s,  Dublin,  -th  Sept.  1660.     See  Notes  and  Queries. 


1544 

061. 

19 

1546 

Apr. 

20 

1547 

May 

9 

1548 

April 

.  6 

1548 

Mar. 

21 

T549 

Mar. 

7 

1550 

May- 

21 

1552 

Jan. 

28 

1583 

Sept. 

8 

1585 

Feb. 

27 

1586 

May 

12 

158S 

Apr. 

14 

1590 

Jan'} 

'  6 

1592 

July 

9 

1593 

Dec. 

13 

1595 

April 

2 

1596 

Dec. 

19 

1599 

061. 

16 

1616 

May 

20 

1624 

May 

18 

1632 

Aug. 

21 

8o  Thk  Potts  F\\mily  ix  Gkp:at  Britain. 

1638  July     6     Barbara  Potts,  (laughter  of  Spencer,  was  born  July  6 

at  Mr.  Difford's  in  Bow-Church-yard,  London,  and 
baptized  in  Bow  Church. 

1639  Oclo.    I     Nicholas,  son  of  Mr.  Spencer,  gent.,  and  Barbara. 

Chalgrave  Parish.      Marriages. 

Blofielde — Pottes,     Egidie  tt  Jonne.  ■■ 

Plarding — Pottes,      Kdnionde  and  Elizabeth. t 

Johnson — Pottes,     Thomas  and  Mary.  J 

Wethered — Pottes,     I'rancis,  gent.,  and  Mrs.  Jonne, 

gentlewoman,  daughter  of  Mr.  Nicholas,  Esq.,  by  a 

Ly  cense. 
Pottes — Clitherow,     Thomas,  gent.  &  M'ris  Dorothie. 
Adkinson — Potts,     Mr.   William,    Esquier,    of  Gray's 

Inne,  in  London,  and  M'ris  Frances,  gentlewoman, 

daughter  of  Mr.  Nicholas,    Esq. 
Potts — Clarke,     Mr.  Fairforde  &  Judeth,  gentlewoman 
I-'eake — Pottes,     Samuel,  clarke,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth. 

Chalgrave  Parish.     Burials. 

Anne  Pottes. 

Fayrford  Potts,  son  of  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Ralphe  Potts,  son  of  ye  same  Mr.  Nicholas. 

Fraunces  Potts,  daughter  of  Mr. 

Elizabeth  Potts,  daughter  of  IMr. 

John  Kirklande,  gent.,  Mrs.  Eliz.  Pottes'  father. 

Fairforde  Pottes,  gent. 

Nicholas  Pottes,  Esq. 

Nicholas  Pottes  and  Croftes. 

Barbara  Pottes,  daughter  of  Mr.  Spencer. 

Nicholas  Pottes,  son  of  Mr.  Spencer. 

Pottes,  a  still-born  child  of  Mr.  Spencer. 

Toddington  Parish.     Baptisms. 

Thomas  Potts,  son  of  John. 
Dorathy  Potts,  daughter  of  Thomas. 

*  Note,  Probably  parents  of  (liles  Blofield.  of  Houghton-Coiiqiiest,  gent.,  who 
was  buried  there  12  April,  1657. 

t  Note.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Ralphe  Potts,  and  was  buried  at  .\spley-liui.se, 
3  December,  1603. 

t  NoTK.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Ralphe  Pottes.  The  Johnsons  appear  to  have 
moved  to  Milton-Hivant,  where  they  acquired  property.  A  full  pedigree  of  this 
family  will  be  found  in  "  Mi.scellanea  Oenealogica  et  lieraldica,"  newser..  Vol.  II. 


1554 

Jan. 

24 

1570 

Jan. 

24 

1574 

Nov. 

15 

I60I 

Ocio 

4 

I6I3 

Aug. 

15 

I6I3 

Dec. 

S 

1615 

Apr. 

14 

1639 

Oclo 

3 

1564 

Apr. 

22 

i59'3 

Aug. 

4 

1590 

Aug. 

22 

1592 

Apr. 

29 

1595 

Dec. 

10 

1602 

Nov. 

22 

1621 

J"iy 

5 

1622 

July 

5 

1627 

Aug. 

31 

1639 

July 

29 

1639 

Oclo 

2 

1 64 1 

Jan, 

16 

T577 

July 

24 

1620 

Aug. 

6 

t646 

Feb. 

2 

1650 

Dec. 

30 

1652 

Dec. 

30 

1655 

Nov. 

2 

1657 

Feb. 

24 

The  Bedfordshire  Famit^v.  81 

Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Theodore. 
John  Potts,  son  of  Theodore. 
Joseph  Potts,  son  of  Theodore. 
vSarah  Potts,  daughter  of  Theodore. 
Mary  Potts,  daughter  of  Theodore. 

Toddington  Parish.     Marriages. 

1558     July  23     Hiilersden — Potts,     Thomas  and  Joahne.* 
161 1     Aug.  II     Potts — Johnson,     Thomas  and  Jane. 
1637     Jun.   18     Pottes — Coddon,     Theodore  and  .Sarah. 

Toddington  Parish.     Burials. 

John  Potts,  gent. 

Dorathy  Pottes. 

Mrs.  Pottes,  wife  of  Mr.  Thorn 

Mr.  Thomas  Pottes. t 

Joseph  Pottes,  son  of  Theodore. 

Aspley-Guise  Parish. 

Bely — Pottes,     John  and  Frances,  married. 
Richard  Potts,  son  of  Roger,  baptized. 
Jane  Potts,  uxor  of  Thomte,  buried. 
Thomas  Potts,  buried. 

Tingrith  Parish. 

1663     Nov.  26     Bishopp — Potts,     John  and  Dorothy,    married. 


Some  additional  memoranda  gathered  from  other  sources, 
is  here  appended. 

John  Potts  was  a  witness  to  the  will  of  John  Harding, 
the  elder,  of  A.spley.  29  Odlober,  1530.  J 

*  Note.  In  the  Elstow  Parish  Register  is  recorded  the  burial  of  Sir  Thomas 
Hiilersden  on  30  June,  162-;,  sou  of  Thomas  Hiilersden  of  Arapthill,  by  Joane,  his 
wife,  daughter  of  {?Rayfe)  Pottes,  of  Chalgrave  ;  married  at  Toddington  in  1558. 
He  was  knighted  at  Theobalds  17  Sept.,  1622  ;  his  wife  was  Elizabeth,  a  daughter 
of  John  Harding  of  Chalgrave. 

t  Note.  In  1889  the  original  will  of  "  Thomas  Potts  of  Toddington,"  1659,  was 
advertized  for  sale  by  a  London  bookseller,  and  was  described  as  a  "curious  will." 
The  writer  of  this  mbngraph  at  ouce  sent  out  an  order  for  it,  but  it  had  been  sold 
before  the  order  reached  London. 

t  See  Bedfordshire  Notes  and  Oueries. 


I6I9 

OA. 

16 

1636 

OA. 

24 

I64I 

Mar. 

21 

1659 

April 

16 

1670 

Sep. 

20 

1603 

oa. 

29 

I6II 

Jan. 

19 

I6I2 

Mar. 

II 

1626 

Dec. 

5 

82  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Thoma.s  Potts,  of  Bedfordshire,  K*^nt.,  matriculated  at 
St.  Albans  Hall,  3  May,  1594,  aged  18.* 

Nicholas  Potts,  son  of  Ralph,  baptized  at  Chalgrave, 
Bedfordshire,  20  April,  1546,  received  the  degree  of  B.  A. 
from  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  12  Dec,  1561;  and  M.  A.,  17 
January,  1564-5;  barrister-at-law,  Gray's  Inn,  1577;  bench- 
er 1594,  of  Chalgrave,  Bedfordshire;  and  M.  P.  1584-5; 
buried  at  Chalgrave,  1622.! 

He  represented  the  Borough  of  Bedford  in  1585  ;  he  was 
"  Seneschal"  to  vSir  Christopher  Hoddesdon,  Knt.,  Lord  of 
the  Manor  of  Leighton-Bussard.     Though  bearing 

Arms,     Azure,  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last, 

and  occupying  a  good  position  in  the  cotnity,  the  family  do 
not  appear  to  have  recorded  its  pedigree  in  any  Visitation 
of  this  county.  The  family  is  probably  related  to  the  Potts, 
of  Mannington,  county  of  Norfolk. [J: 

John  Potts,  armiger,  son  and  heir  of  Nicholas  Potts,  of 
Bedfordshire,  baptized  at  Chalgrave,  12  May,  1586;  matric- 
ulated at  Oriel  College,  Oxford,  8  May,  1601,  aged  14;  bar- 
rister-at-law, Gray's  Inn,  i6ii.§  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Piggott,  of  Gravenhurst. 

In  a  list  of  Bedfordshire  Gentry  of  the  XVIIth  Century, 
— a  Catalogue  of  the  names  of  Gentlemen  of  Quality  that 
have  sold  their  Estates  and  are  quite  gone  out  of  Bedford- 
shire within  the  space  of  50  j^ears,  by  Sir  Robert  Clernocke 
of  Hullcott,  is  found  the  name  of  "  Mr.  John  Potts  of  Chal- 
grave." 

Fairford  Potts,  II  son  of  Nicholas,  baptized  7  Jan.  1590; 


*  See  Alumni  Oxieuses. 

t  See  Alumni  Oxidises,  and  Foster's  Judges  and  Barristers. 

I  See  Burke's  Extin<5l  Baronets,  page  422. 

^  See  Alumui  Oxienses,  and  Foster's  Judges  and  Barristers. 

II  NoTK.    Agnes  Fayrforde,  wife  of  Rob.,  was  buried  28  Oi5t.  1546,  and  Eliswibeth 
Fayrfordc,  24  July,  1552,  at  Chalgrave.     Perhaps  related  to  the  Potts  family. 


The  Bedfordshirk  Family.  83 

married  Judith  Clark,  14  April,  1615;  and  was  buried,  5  Ju- 
ly, 1 62 1.  Judith,  his  widow,  married  William  Gerard,  as 
appears  from  the  following  abstract  taken  from  the  Bed- 
fordshire Notes  &  Queries. 

William  Gerard,  Esq.,  of  Gray's  Inn,  Bach'',  29,  and  Judith  Potts, 
of  S'  Andrews  Holborn,  widow,  25,  relidl  of  Farsard  [Fairford]  Potts, 
late  of  Chalgrave,  Beds.,  Gent.,  dec*;  at  St.  Pancras,  Kentishtown. 

The  date  of  license  or  marriage  is  given  as  April  161 7. 
There  is  manifestly  an  error  either  in  the  date  given  for  the 
death  of  Fairford  Potts  or  of  this  marriage. 

Spencer  Potts.  In  the  life  of  John  Buuyan,  by  John 
Brown,  is  a  reference  to  the  few  Bedfordshire  men  w^ho 
were  in  favor  of  the  King  during  the  Civil  Wars.  "Among 
those  [Royalists  in  Bedfordshire]  who  joined  the  King  at 
Oxford  and  surrendered  under  the  Articles,  when  tlie  city 
was  taken,  were  *  *  *  Spencer  Potts  of  Chalgrave." 
His  wife's  name  was  Barbara. 

Crofts  Potts,  armiger,  son  of  Nicholas,  bapt.  16  Octo- 
ber, 1599;  matriculated  at  Oriel  College,  11  Oct.  1613,  aged 
14;  received  his  degree  of  B.  A.,  27  June,  1617;  and  M.  A., 
from  All  Souls  College,  9  May,  1620.* 

Saunders  Potts,  arm. ,  son  of  Nicholas,  and  twin  broth- 
er of  Crofts,  baptized  16  Ocl.,  1599;  matriculated  at  Oriel 
College,  II  Ocl.,  1613,  aged  14;  received  his  degree  of  B.  A. 
27  June,  1617;  and  M.  A.,  7  July,  1620.*  Sequestered 
from  the  vicarage  of  Lyndon,  Bedfordshire,  (?  Rutland), 
1645,  by  the  Westminster  Assembly. 

In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Plundered  Min- 
isters, is  the  following  entry,  f 

Odlober  4'°  1645.  Ordered  a  fift  p't  to  Elizabbeth  the  wife  of  Sands 
Potts  from  w^hom  the  Vicarage  of  Lyndon  in  the  County  of  Bedd.  is  se- 


*  See  Aluinui  Oxienses. 

t  .See  Bedfordshire  Notes  and  Queries.. 


.S4  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Grkat  Bkitaix. 

queslered  vnlesse  good  cause  be  shewne  to  the  contrary  before   the 
Co'"-'*^  for  ye  said  County.  %!  in  Minster  279. 

Ralph  Potts,  of  St.  Leonard  Shoreditch,  Middlesex, 
X'iiitner,  married  Margaret  Rayle,  of  St.  Andrew's  Holborn, 
.spinster,  her  parents  being  dead;  at  St.  Peter's,  Paul's 
Wharf,  London,   31  May,  1621. 

Theodore  PoTTS,  of  Toddington,  gent.,  married  Sarah 
Coddon,  18  Jtine,  1637,  ^^^^  ^''^^  children  as  .shown  by  the 
Pari.sh  records  given  on  page  81.  He  died  about  1688  or  9. 
His  will  is  dated  7  March,  1688,  and  was  proved  20  April, 
1689.  He  beqtieaths  to  his  .son  Thomas  Potts,  freehold 
land  in  Toddington,  he  paying  thereout  to  [testator's  child- 
ren] John,  Sarah  Purratt,  and  Mary  White  /.^20  each,  and 
to  daughter  Dorothy  Bi.shop  ^5. 

The  following  additional  entries  from  the  Toddington 
Parish  registers  have  been  copied  from  the  Miscellanea  Gen- 
ealogica  et  Heraldica,   Volume  III. 

Toddington  Parish. 

Radulph,  filius  Radulph  Pot  (Potts).* 

John  Potts,  yeoman,  buried. 

John  Potts  and  Ann  Symonds;  married. 

Ann  Potts,  gentlewoman,  buried. 

Edmund,  son  of  John  Potts,  gentleman,  and  .\nne  his 

wnfe,  baptized. 
Francis  Brook,  son  of  John  and  Ann  Potts,  baptized. 
Fanny  Chapman,  dau.  of  John  and  Ann  Potts,  bapt. 


Following  this  is  given  an  incomplete  and  perhaps  imper- 
fe(5l  pedigree  of  the  Potts  family  of  Bedfordshire.  In  some 
cases  there  were  evidently  children  not  included  in  the  fore- 
going parish  abstradls  ;  and  again,  this  pedigree  includes  on- 
ly a  part  of  those  who  are  therein  enumerated. 


1663 

Sept. 

2 

'738 

May 

14 

]May 

5 

1776 

Mar. 

30 

1782 

Jan. 

30 

1785 

June 

15 

1788 

Jan. 

9 

*  Note.     Radulpli  is  abbreviated  Latin  for  Radulpluis,  or  in  Knglish,  Ralph. 


The  Bedfordshire  Family.  85 

A  Pedigree  of  the  Potts'  of  Bedfordshire. 
Ralph  Potts= 

I       \  n       i     in  J 

John      Nicholas=         Richard     Anne     Marv'=Th.  Johnson     Richard 
j  Ralph  Elizabeth=Ed.  Harding 


l-Vances  Ralph  Frances=  Elizabeth 

Fairford  Fairford= Judith     Spencer=Bar-     Nicholas 

John=Eliz.Piggott  Clark  bara     Crofts 

Sannders=Eli7,. 


Elizabeth 


Marie     Barbara     Nicholas         Elizabeth 


The  Potts'  of  Bentham  Hill,  Kent. 

A  family  of  PoTT  or  Potts,  of  respecftability  and  stand- 
ing, is  found  in  the  county  of  Kent.  Possibly  they  were  of 
Bedfordshire  origin.  The  following  account  has  been  com- 
piled from  Burke's  I^anded  Gentry. 

Pott  of  Bentham  Hill. 

Lineage. — John  Pott,  Esq.,  whose  mother  was  a  co- 
heiress of  the  Clarke  family,  derived  from  a  family  of  Pott, 
whose  arms  are  recorded  in  the  Heralds'  College.  He  mar- 
ried Anne  Fletcher,  an  heiress,  and  had  issue, 

I  John,   who  died  unmarried. 

II  William,  m.  Sarah  Richardson. 

III  Robert,  of  whom  presently. 

IV  Arthur,  m.  Anne,   daughter  of  John  Varnham,   Esq.  of  South 

Park,  Penshtirst. 


Robert  Potts,  Esq.,  the  third  son,  married,  in  1781, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Hamilton  Kirby,  Esq.,  of  the  Island  of 
Antigua,  and  had  issue, 


86  The  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britain. 

I     Charles,  in.  Anne,    daughter   and    co-heir   of   the  late    Samuel 
Conipton  Cox,  Ksq.,  Master  in  Chancery,  and  had  issue, 

1  Joseph  Compton,   b.  in  Odlober,  i8r3. 

2  Alfred,   b.  in  September,  1822. 

3  Arthur  Sidney. 

1  Anna  Loui.sa. 

2  Harriet  Bertha. 

3  Mary  Emily. 

4  Agnes. 

II     Arthur,  of  Bentham  Hill,  of  whom  hereafter. 

III  William,  m.  Mary,   eldest  daughter  of  Sir  Charles  Price,  Bart., 

of  Spring  Grove,  Surrey,  and  had  issue, 

1  Robert,  b.  3  September,  1824. 

2  Edward,  b.  8  July,  1S26. 

3  Henry,  b.  20  March,  1828. 

4  Francis,  b.  29  Dec.  1832. 

5  Norbury,  b.  14  0<5l.  1838. 
I     Ellen. 

IV  John,  died  unmarried  in  1822. 

I     Emih-,  m.  Matthew  Holland,  Esq. 
II     Anna,  m.  Benjamin  Currey,  Esq.,  of  Pvltham  I^'^rk,  Kent. 

Arthur  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Bentham  Hill,  County  Kent,  J. 
P.  andD.  L. ,  High  Sheriff  for  Kent,  1840,  born  in  1793;  mar- 
ried, first,  in  1817,  Elizabeth,  elder  datighter  of  William 
Gilpin,  Esqr.,  of  Ea.st  Sheen,  Surrey.  He  married,  second. 
Frances,  widow  of  Col.  Armitage,  and  daitghter  of  Robert 
Brundling,  of  the  county  of  Northumberland.  Mr.  Pott 
purchased  the  propert)^  of  Bentham  Hill,  Southborough. 
from  the  Mi.sses  Eyles,  in  1831. 

Arms.     Azure,  two  bars  debruised  by  a  bendlet,  or. 
Crkst.     On   a   mount  vert,  a  leopard,  .sejant  proper,  collared  and 
chained,  or. 

Motto.     Eortis  et  astutis. 

Se.'VT.     Bentham  Hill,  Southborough,  Tonbridge. 

The  foregoing  account  of  the  Bentham  Hill  family  is  be- 
low reduced  to  a  diagram,  and  will  show  the  state  of  the 
family  at  a  glance. 


The  Bentham  Hill,  Kent,  Family.  87 

Pedigree  of  the  Pott  Family  of  Bentham  HilL 
John  PoTTS=Aniie  Fletcher 


John       Williain=Sarah  Robert=Sarah        Arthur=Anne  Varn- 


Ricliard- 


Kirby  ham 


Charles=Anne  Cox     Arthur ^^ Elizabeth  Gilpin      John 

± Frances  Brundling   Emily=M.  Holland 
\Villiani=Mar\'  Price  Anna=Ben.  Currey 


I-     I       I       •  'I.I                                   IJ                                        J       '                                       .t'      J, 

Joseph  C.  Harriet  B.          Robert                  Henry                  Norbury 

Alfred  Marj-  Emily      Edward                Francis                Ellen 

Arthur  S,  Agnes 
Anne  L,. 


The  Potts'  of  Scotland. 

A  family  of  PoTT  or  PoTTS  is  found  in  the  south  of  Scot- 
land from  quite  an  early  period.  In  a  work  comprising 
three  large  volumes  entitled,  Registry  of  the  Privy  Council 
of  Scotland,  (printed  in  Edinburgh  in  1877),  in  Volume  I, 
(1545-1569),  we  find  an  early  mention  of  a  Potts  in  Scot- 
land, in  old  Scotch  language,  a  resident  of  the  borough  of 
Kelso  in  County  Roxburgh,  as  follows, 

1566.     Ane  half  mark  of  land  occupiit  be  Thomas  Pott. 

The  extradts  given  below  are  taken  from  a  work  entitled 
Inqtiisitionaurn  ad  Capellam  Domini  regis  restornaruin  qtice  In 
Publicis  Archivis  Scotice  ahuc  Servantur  Abbreviatis.  Printed 
By  Command  of  his  Majest  King  George  III,  In  pursuance 
of  an  address  of  the  House  of  Great  Britain,  MDCCCXVI. 
Both  these  works  can  be  found  in  the  Mercantile  I^ibrary  at 
Philadelphia. 


88  The  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britain. 

1616.  April  30.  Thomas  Pott,  haeres  Joannis  Pott  in  Cliftowii,  av- 
is, in  I  mercata  terrje  antiqui  extentus  terrarum  de  Cliftown,  infra  di- 
midium  baronise  de  Cliftown.     E.    i  m. 

1623.  0(5\.  28.  Willielmus  Pott,  haeres  Joannis  alias  Laird  Pott  in 
Cavertown,  patris — in  3  libratis  terrarum  nuncupatis  Langislandis,  in 
territorio  de  Cavertown  et  ejusdem.     E.     3I. 

1638.  Maii  23.  Joannes  Pott  in  Cavertown  haeres  Willelmi  Pott  in 
Cavertown,  patris,  in  3  libratis  terrarum  vulgariter  nuncupitis  Langis- 
landis in  \-illa  et  territorio  de  Cavertown  et  dominio  ejusdem.  A.  E. 
3I  NE.  4I  10  s. 

1694.  Dec.  2.  Robertus  Pott  uiercator  in  Kelso,  haeres  Georgii 
Pott  mercatoris  burgensis  Edinburgi  fratris. 

The  following  account  of  the  Pott  family  of  Todrig,  Co. 
Selkirk,  and  Borthwickshiels  House,  Co.  Roxburgh,  has 
been  extracted  from  Burke's  Landed  Gentry,  edition  of  1886. 

Pott  of  Todrig. 

Lineage.  George  Pott.  Esq.,  son  of  George  Pott. 
Esq.,  b.  1720;  m.  Miss  Scott  of  Galalaw,  and  died  1781, 
having  had  with  two  daughters,  six  .sons.     Of  the  latter, 

George  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Todrig,  m.  1778,  Barbara  Turn- 
bull,  of  Frith,  and  died  1781,  leaving  i.ssue. 

I     George  Pott,  of  whom  hereafter. 

I     Barbara  Pott,  m.  1806,  Charles  Erskine,  Esq.,  of  Sheffield. 

George  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Todrig,  co.  Selkirk,  and  Borth- 
wickshiels, CO.  Roxburgh,  J.  P.  and  D.  L.  Convener  of  Sel- 
kirk, b.  1780;  m.  1807,  Katharine,  datighter  of  the  late 
David  Reid,  Esq.,  Commi.ssioner  of  Customs,  and  by  her 
(who  died  1833)  had  issue, 

1  George  Pott,  late  of  Todrig. 

2  David  Pott,  of  whom  presently. 

3  Stephen  Pott,   Major-General  (retired)  Bengal  Engineers. 

1  Jane  Stephen  I'ott. 

2  Barbara  Pott,  m.  in  1841,  James  Erskine,  Esq.,  of  Sheffield  ;  and 

had  a  son  Charles. 
\     Eliza  Davidson  Pott. 


The  Family  in  Scotland.  89 

George  Pott,  Esq.,    (the  eldest  son),    of  Todrig  and 
Borthwickshiels,   Lieut. -Col.   Bengal  Army,  b.   Feb.    181 1; 
m.    1840,  Julia,  youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Rob- 
ert Sparke  Hutchings,  and  died,  leaving  a  son, 

I     Robert  Pott,   b.  Dec.  1851.     Deceased. 

Gen.  David  Pott,  (brother  of  Col.  Pott),  of  Todrig, 
County  Selkirk,  and  Borthwickshiels  House,  County  Rox- 
burgh, C.  B.  Bengal  Staff  Corps  ;  m.  ist,  1850,  Mary  Anne, 
(deceased),  daughter  of  Col.  J.  P.  Ripley,  of  Bengal  Army, 
and  had  issue, 

I     Arthur  David  Ripley  Pott,  of  whom  hereafter. 

1  Emily  Louisa  Pott,  m.  187 1,  Sydenham  J.  Lambert,  Capt.  R.  E., 

and  has  four  sons. 

2  Anne  Sophia  Pott,  m.  1876,  Reginald  C.  Hadrow,   Lieut.  Bengal 

Staff  Corps,  and  has  four  sons. 

3  Lucy  Ada  Pott, 

4  Eliza  Davidson  Pott. 

Gen.  Pott  married,  secondly,  1876,  Anne  Frances,  daugh- 
ter of  A.  Boyle,  Esq.,  of  Dublin.     He  did  2  Ocflober,  1881. 

Arthur  David  Ripley  Pott,  Esq.,  of  Todrig,  County 
Selkirk,  and  Borthwickshiels  House,  County  Roxburgh,  b. 
25  September,  1862,  succeeded  his  father  who  died  in  1881. 

Arms.     Barry  of  six,  azure  and  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 
Crest,     a  leopard  sejant  ppr.,  collared,  lined  and  ringed  or. 
Motto.     Vive  ut  vivas. 
Seat.     Borthwickshiels  House,  Hawick.     N.  B. 


The  following  diagram  will  show   the   pedigree   of   the 
family  of  Todrig  at  a  glance. 


94  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

overlooked  at  the  time  by  the  pubHsher.  In  the  Powef  s 
Land  Chib  Publication,  Volume  XXIV,  page  38,  appears  an 
abstradl  of  the  will  of  William  Bywater,  of  Llangurig, 
Montgomeryshire,  Wales,  made  4  May,  1632,  and  proven 
26  June,  1632,  at  Somerset  House,  London.  He  makes  the 
following  disposition. 

To  be  buried  in  Llangurig  Church, 

Toward  repairs  to  the  said  Church  2/ . 

To  the  poor  12  d. 

To  Henry  Shuttleworth,  godson,   son  of  William  Shuttleworth  ^20. 

To  William,  son  of  Nicholas  Wosencrofte,  ^5. 

To  Mary,  daughter  of  Christopher  Bywater,  40/ . 

To  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Bywater,  £^.  If  Mary  died  before  she 
reached  21  years  of  age,  then  the  £^  to  be  divided  between  Anne,  wife 
of  Thomas  Hatfield,  and  Margaret,  wife  of  Lawrence  PoTTS,  the  tes- 
tator's two  daughters. 

To  Edward,  son  of  William  Shuttleworth,  ^5. 

Residue  to  be  divided  between  sons-in-law,  Thomas  Hatfield  and 
Lawrence  Potts. 


Rev*  Thomas  Potts  of  Floshingf** 

Rev.  Thomas  Potts,  an  English  clergyman,  was  settled 
at  Flushing,  [Vlissingen,  in  Dutch] ,  a  city  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  Island  of  Walcheren,  in  the  Province  of  Zealand, 
Holland,  in  the  Elizabethan  period.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  seventeenth  century  he  retired  into  Wales,  where  he 
took  a  small  living.  From  MSS.  in  the  possession  of  Eord 
de  L'Isle  and  Dudley,  we  have  the  following, 

1607,  June  8.  Letter  from  Thomas  Pott  at  Flushing  (Holland)  to 
Lord  Sydney,  He  has  lost  his  fellow  labourer,  M.  Daniel  de  Dieu  ; 
asks  for  another  from  England,  and  to  have  elders  to  assist  the  minis- 
ters, and  that  he  may  be  joined  to  the  Classis  of  Walcheren. 


*  Note.  This  sketch  has  been  compiled  by  the  publisher  from  memoranda  com- 
municated in  the  private  letters  of  Mr.  William  John  Potts.  Mr.  Potts  was  very 
anxious  to  secure  material  for  a  complete  biography  of  Rev.  Tliomas  Potts,  being 
impressed  with  the  belief  that  he  was  a  possible  ancestor  of  the  Potts  family  in 
Pennsylvania.     T.M.P, 


Rev.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Fi^ushing.  95 

Quoting  from  the  Record  Office  at  London,  we  have  the 
following, 

1633,  Nov.  7-17,  Charles  ist.     Letter  from  Stephen  Goffe  to 

(at  the  Hague),  M""  Forbes  \vill  still  be  preacher,  as  he  was  in  time  of 
Mr.  Potts,  his  predecessor,  who  for  very  weariness  gave  over  to  Mr. 
Forbes  and  took  a  small  living  in  Wales. 

Possibly  the  following  extracfts  from  the  Books  of  lyicen- 
ces  and  Permits  to  pass  to  New  England  and  to  the  Low 
Countries,  etc.,  may  refer  to  a  member  of  the  family  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Potts. 

1634,  December  xxx.  John  Potts  26  years  old  to  pass  to  Flushing, 
(Holland). 

1634,  ultima  die  Deer.  John  Potts  26  years  old — dwelling  in  Flush- 
ing. 

The  following  are  suggested  as  sources  from  which  addi- 
tional information  might  possibly  be  learned  concerning  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Potts. 

The  English  Church  in  the  Netherlands  in  the  time  of  James  I  and 
Charles  I.  See  British  Museum  Catalogue  of  Additional  MSS.  from 
1783-1835,  under  Boswell  (Sir  William),  English  resident  at  the 
Hague.  Letters  to  him  relating  to  the  English  Church  in  the  Neth- 
erlands, temp.  Jac.  I  and  Car.  I.     6394  ff.  50  et  seq. 

Letters  to  the  burgomasters  of  Delft,  Concerning  Forbes,  1636. 
6394  f .  224. 

Glasius.  Nederland.  Biographisch,  Woordenb.  Van  Nederl.  Godgel- 
ierden.  Hertogenl.  Gebr.  Miiller.  (Amst.  J.  H.  v.  d.  Beck)  1851-6. 
gr8°3dln. 

Of  the  family  of  Rev  Thomas  Potts,  very  little  is  known. 
The  following  biographical  sketch  of  his  son  Thomas  is  ex- 
tradled  from  Van  der  AA.  Biog  Woodenboek  der Nederlanden. 
Vijftiende  Deel  Haarlem  J.  J.  Brederode,  i8'/2. 

Thomas  Pots,  zoon  van  Thomas  Pots,  eerst  predikant  bij  de  Enge- 
Ische  gemeente  to  Vlissingen,  later  te  Amsterdam,  waar  hij  in  1635 
stierf  en  van  Sarah  de  Maayd,  werd  predikant  van  de  Engelsche  ge- 
meente to  Vlissingen,  veroolgens  in  1651  te  Utrecht  en  sedert  10  No- 


/4. 


92  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Crest.  On  a  mount  vert,  a  greyhound  couchant  gules,  collared 
and  ringed  or. 

Pott  or  Potts,  (London  and  Norfolk). 

Arms.     Azure,  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 
Crest.     A  leopard,  or  ounce,  sejant,  collared  and  chained  or. 

Pott,  (Bentham  Hill,  County  Kent,  as  borne  by  Ar- 
thur Pott,  of  Bentham  Hill,  Tonbridge  Wells,  Esq.,  a  mag- 
i.strate  for  the  County  of  Kent). 

Arms.  Quarterly,  first  and  fourth.  Azure,  two  bars  debruised  by  a 
bendlet,  or.  Second,  gules  three  swords  eredl  ppr.  Third,  gules  a 
cross  engr.  between  four  pheons  argent. 

Crest.  On  a  mount  vert,  a  leopard  sejant,  proper  collared  and 
chained,  reflexed  over  the  back  or. 

Potts,   (South  Shields,  County  Durham). 

Arms.     Azure,  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 
Crest.     On  a  mount  vert,    an  ounce  sejant,  proper,  collared  and 
chained,  or. 

Potts,  (Mannington,  County  Norfolk,  descended  from 
John  Pot,  grandson  of  Sir  William  Pot,  who  had  a  grant  of 
arms  in  1583.  Sir  John  Potts,  of  Mannington,  M.  P.  for 
Norfolk,  was  created  a  baronet  14  August,  1641). 

Arms.     Azure,  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 

In  1875  a  work  of  two  volumes  entitled,  Owners  of  Land, 
was  published,  containing  the  result  of  the  Survey  taken  in 
1873.  It  is  arranged  by  counties  alphabetically.*  There 
are  given  the  name  and  address  of  each  owner,  with  the 
acreage  and  estimated  rental.  The  amount  of  land  owned 
by  those  named  below  ranges  from  one  acre  to  nearly  five 
hundred  each,  and  the  rental  from  ^i  to  above  ^1000. 
The  names  and  residences  only  are  here  given. 


*  Note.     Mr.  W.  J.  Potts  examined  this  work  only  through  Lancaster,  and  was 
not  permitted  by  reason  of  ill  health  to  complete  the  list. — T.  M.  P. 


Miscellaneous  Memoranda.  93 

BEDFORD. 

Rev.  F.  Pott,   Northill.  Edmund  C.  Potts,    Leighton-Buz- 

Daniel  Potts,  Toddington.  John  Potts,   Billington.  [zard. 

CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 

Robert  Potts,  Cambridge.  William  Potts,   Cambridge. 

CHESTER. 
Arthur  Potts,  Hoole  Chester.  Charles  Potts,  Chester. 

Charles  Potts,   Upton  by  Chester.      Hannah  Potts,  Timperly. 
Charles  A,  Potts,    Chester.  Henry  Potts,  Chester. 

Isaac  Potts,  Adlington.  Jos.  Potts,  Shavington-cum-Gresty 

Ralph  Potts,  Bramhall  Stockport.     William  Potts,  Upon  by  Chester. 
Mrs.  William  Potts,  Park  L,ane,  Macclesfield. 

CUMBERLAND. 
Leonard  Potts,  Wigton.  Mrs.  Potts,  Carlisle. 

DERBY. 
Edmund  Potts,  Chapel  en  la  Frith.    Edward  Potts,  Fairfield. 
Ed.  Potts  &  Robert,  Fairfield.  Hy.  Potts,  Doveholes. 

Joseph  Potts,  Linton.  William  Potts,   Wormhill. 

DURHAM. 

J.  Potts,  Exors  of  Satly.  Mrs.  Jane  Potts,  Darlington. 

John  Potts,   Bishop wearmouth.  J.  Hopper  Potts,  Satley. 

Liston  H.  Potts,  Bedale,  Yorks.  Mrs.  Potts,  Whareton. 

Robert  H.  Potts,   East  Boldon.  Sarah  Potts,  West  Gate. 

T.  Potts,  Treas,  of  Yarm.  William  Potts,  Sheraton. 

HEREFORD. 
Rev.  H.  J.  Potts,   Llangaran. 

HUNTINGDON. 

John  Potts,  Ramsey.  Luke  Potts,  Ramsey. 

KENT. 

Arthur  Pott,  Southborough.  L.  H.  Potts,    Northampton. 

I^ANCASTER. 
George  Potts,  Kirkdale.  ,Mrs.  Potts,  Carnforth. 

Lawrence  Potts.  A  mention  of  one  lyawrence  Potts, 
whose  name  appears  in  1632,  would  perhaps  better  have  been 
given  under  the  head  of  ' '  The  Potts'  of  Wales, ' '  but  was   c^LO-    *t 


90  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

Pedigree  of  the  Pott  Family  of  Todrig. 
George  Pott= 


George  Pott=Miss Scott,  of  Galalaw. 


George  Pott=Barbara  Turnbull.       Five  other  sons  and  two  daughters 


George  Pott=Katharine  Reid  Barbara=Charles  Erskine 


George  Pott=Julia  Hutchings 

Mary  A.  Ripley=David  Pott=Anne  F".  Boyle 


Stephen  Barbara 

Jane  S.  Elliza  D. 


I  I  I  I  I  I 

Robert  Arthur  D.  R.     Emily  L.     Anne  S.     Lucy  A.     Eliza  D. 


Miscellaneous  Memoranda. 

The  following  informatian  relating  to  members  of  the 
University  of  Oxford  has  been  extradled  from  a  publication 
entitled,  Ahcmyii  Oxonienses,   {i^oo-iji^).     lyondon,  1891. 

Thomas  Potts,  (or  Potte):  student  of  Christ  Church, 
1555,   B.  A.  12  July,  1558  ;  M.  A.  6  June,  1562. 

John  Potts,  (Potte  or  Pottes);  fellow  of  Merton  Col- 
lege, 1557-63,  B.  A.  16  Ocflober,  1557,  M.  A.  23  Januarj^ 
1 561-2,  physician  and  philosopher,  as  Pott.  See  Fasti,  I, 
160 ;  AO.  H.  S.  IV.   264. 

Peter  Pottes,  B.  A.  18  Novem.,  1569  ;  fellow  I^incoln 
College  1 57 1-8,  M.  A.  31  July,  1573  ;  vicar  of  Milton  1577, 
and  re(5lor  of  Tunstall,  Kent,  1580.    See  Foster's  Index  Eccl. 

Thomas  Pottes,  of  co.  Warwick,  pleb.,  Christ  Church, 
matriculated,  27  June,  1587,  aged  18. 


Miscellaneous  Memoranda.  91 

Joshua  Potts,  son  [of]  Edward,  of  Eccleston,  co.  Lan- 
caster, pleb.,  Brazenose  College,  matriculated  i  July,  1664, 
aged  18;  B.  A.  1668,   M.  A,  1671. 

John  Potts,  son  [of]  Pearsevall,  of  Carmarthen  (town), 
pleb.,  Jesus  College,  matriculated  15  April,  1670,  aged  18  ; 
B.  A.  23  March,  1673-4;  M.  A,  from  King's  College.  Cam- 
bridge, 1681,  recftor  of  Roborough,  Devon,  1679;  father  of 
Percival,  1709.     See  Foster's  Index  KccL 

Percival  Potts,  son  [of]  John,  of  Roborough,  Devon, 
•cler.  Trinity  College,  matriculated  12  April,  1709,  aged  20  ; 
B.  A.  from  St.  Alban  Hall  lo  March,  171 2-1 3;  vicar  of 
Wellow,  Somerset,  171 8.     See  Foster's  Index  Eccl. 

The  following  persons  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Cambridge.      Possibly  this  list  is  incomplete. 

Caleb  Pott  Jesus  College  A.  B.  1673         A.  M.  1678 

Gul.  Pott  St.  John  College  A.  B.  1779         A.  M.  1782 

John  Holden  Pott  St.  John  College  A.  B.  1780        A.  M.  1783 

Fra.  Pott  St.  John  College  A.  M.  166  r 

Joh:  Potts  Regin.  College  A.  M.  1681 

Sam.  Potts  A.  Fr.  College  A.  B.  1694 

Tho.  Potts  C.  Fr.  College  A.  B.  1700        A.  M.  1704 

Joh  Potts  St.  John  College  A.  B.  1704 

Thomas  Potts  St.  John  College  A.  B.  1762         A.  M.  1767 

David  Potts  Christ  College  A.  B.  1776         A.  M.  1789 

James  Potts  Gonv.  &  C.  College    A.  B.  1819 

Henry  Potts  Magdalen  College  A.  B.  1832         A.  M.  1837 

Robert  Potts  Trinity  College  A.  B.  1832         A.  M.  1835 

Henry  John  Potts  Trinity  College  A.  B.  1846 

John  Narney  Potts  Trinity  College  A.  B.  1856 

The  following  armorial  bearings  of  several  Pott  or 
Potts  families  have  been  taken  from  Burke's  Encyclopedia 
■of  Heraldry,  London,  185 1.     General  Armory. 

Pott,   (Cheshire,  and  Stancliffe,  County  Derby). 

Arms.  Barry  of  tens,  argent  and  sable,  on  a  bend  az.,  three  trefoils 
slipped,  or. 


96  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

vember,  1654,  der  nederduitsche  gemeente  ter  eerst  gemelde  plaat*. 
In  September  1684  geraakte  hij  in  groote  ongelegenheid,  omdat  hij  de 
onvoorzigtigheid  had  gehad  Koelman,  die  te  Sluis  afgezet  was,  voor 
zich  te  Vlissingen  te  laten  prediken,  niettegenstaande  de  Staten  van 
Zeeland  te  voren  aan  Koelman  verboden  hadden  binnen  de  province 
van  Zeeland  te  prediken  of  de  Sacramenten  te  bedienen.  Pots  werd 
daarover  voor  de  Staten  van  Zeeland  ontboden,  dock  hij  verontschul- 
digde  zich  "  vermits  hij  aan  het  flerezijn  laboorede." 

De  Staten  namen  hierin  geen  genoegen,  en  ontboden  hem  op  nieuw. 
Pots  verontschuldigde  zich  op  de  beste  wijze  en  betuigde  on  kundigte 
zijn  van  hun  resolutie  van  1674  omtrent  Koelman  en  dat  hij  ook  voor 
zijn  collega  Bemardus  van  Denise  had  gepredikit.  Het  gevolg  hier- 
van  dat  aan  beide  heeren  drie  maanden  het  prediken  werd  verboden 
en  hun  traAement  voor  dien  tijd  den  armen  van  Vlissingen  toegewezen. 

Hij  sloeg  in  1659  een  beroep  der  Engelsche  gemeente  te  Amsterdam 
en  in  1663  een  der  Nederduitsche  gemeente  te  Utrecht  af.  Hij  over- 
leed  in  JuHj  1689.  Uit  een  geschrift  dat  op  hem  werd  vervaardigd  en 
onder  het  volk  verspreid  is,  blijkt,  dat  hij  te  Vlissingen  niet  zeer  be- 
mind  moet  zijn  geweest.  Het  begint  dus  : 
' '  Hier  light  begraven  Schotsche  Tom 
En  niernand  is  'er  rouwig  om." 

Hij  huwde  I,  Nikoletta  Kommersteijn  in  Febr.  1665  overlede  en  II, 
Alide  de  Ruiter,  dochter  van  den  Admiraal  M.  A.  de  Ruiter,  weduwe 
van  Johan  Schorer,  Schepen  te  Vlissingen. 

Zie  Veers,  Kerkel,  Tijdteg.  op  de  Engelsche  Kerk  te  Amsterdam  bl. 
10 ;  van  Rheenen.  Reg.  der  Utrechts.  Pred.  bl.  65 ;  Hunnius, 
Zeeuwsche  Buyse  ;  Brandt,  Leven  van  de  Ruiter,  bl.  990.  Vrolijkhert, 
Vlis.  Kerkh.  bl.  133  volgg ;  Steven,  Hist,  of  tl^  vScottish  Church,  p. 
279,  301-2,  306,  341-344  :  Kobus  en  de  Rivecourt. 

This  same  biographical  work  contains  sketches  of  Adrian 
Pots,  Hendrick  Pots,  Dirk  van  der  Pots,  Jean  en  Nicholas 
Pots,  Bernard  van  der  Pot,  and  Cornelis  van  der  Pot  broth- 
er of  William  van  der  Pot,  but  it  is  probable  that  these  had 
no  connedlion  with  the  English  family,  although  bearing  a 
similar  name. 

Another  work,  Beknopt  Biographisch  Handwoorderbook  va7i 
Nederland,  *  *  *  door  J,  C.  Kobus  *  *  *  i^sy,  con- 
tains sketches  of  Hendrick  Gerritsz  Pot,  1 600-1 656;  Wil- 
liam Van  Der  Pot,  1704-1783;  and  of  Thomas  Pots,  before 
mentioned. 


The  Family  in  Ireland.  97 


The  Potts' of  Ireland.* 

Families  bearing  the  name  of  PoTTS  are  found  in  nearly 
tvery  county  in  the  east  and  north  of  Ireland,  all  of  whom 
are  believed  to  be  of  English  extra(5tion.  The  ancestors  of 
some  of  these  families  went  over  from  England  and  settled 
in  the  last  half  of  the  seventeenth  century,  but  persons  of 
the  name  are  found  there  at  a  much  earlier  date. 

In  the  Public  Record  Office  at  Dublin,  are  to  found  the 
following  walls  of  persons  named  Potts,  prior  to  1805. 

1 59 1  John  Potts,  Waterford,  Physician. 

1626  John  Potts,  Canonscourt,  County  Kildare,  Gentleman. 

1670  Richard  Potts,  died  at  Percival,  Scotland. 

Rev.  I^awrence  Potts,  Stapleton,  County  Carlow.f 

1723  Ann  Potts,  Drogheda,  Widow. 

1738  John  Potts,  Athlone,  Merchant. 

1742  Thomas  Potts,  Dublin,  Merchant. 

1760  John  Potts,  Belfast,  Merchant. 

177 1  Samuel  Potts,  Tinemuck,  Kings  County,  Gentleman. 

1781  Jane  Potts,  Dublin,  Widow. 

1796  James  Potts,  Dublin,  Printer  and  Bookseller, 

1800  Elizabeth  Potts,  Dublin  Widow. 

1800  William  Potts,  WestMeath,  Gentleman. 

1804  Jane  Potts,  Athlone,  Spinster. 

One  John  Potts  was  a  member  of  St.  John's  Church,  of 
Dublin,  in  1663  when  he  signed  a  petition  to  the  Duke  of 
Ormonde. 

It  is  proposed  to  confine  this  chapter  to  some  account  of  a 
family  of  good  estate  and  considerable  prominence,  who  for 

*  Note.  This  Chapter,  "The  Potts' of  Ireland,"  was  appended  to  this  Part  of 
this  work  by  the  publisher,  who  received  the  data  therefor  from  William  Potts,  J. 
P.,  of  Athlone,  Ireland,  William  Trumperaut  Potts,  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  late 
Miss  Elizabeth  Rosa  Potts,  of  Baltimore,  as  well  as  from  wills,  deeds,  reports  of 
suits  at  law,  etc. — T.  M.  P. 

t  Note.  Amonjj  the  graduates  of  the  University  of  Dublin  is  a  Lawrence  Potts, 
who  received  the  degree  of  B.  A.  in  1676,  and  M.  A,  in  1679.  He  may  be  identical 
with  the  above  Rev.  Lawrence  Potts. 

13 


qS  Thk  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britain. 

more  than  two  centuries,  have  been  seated  in  that  section  of 
Ireland  embraced  in  Kings  County,  West  ^leath,  and  Ros- 
common, and  in  the  City  of  Dublin. 


I  WIIXIAM  POTTS. ^  The  founder  of  this  branch  of 
the  family  in  Ireland  was  one  William  Potts,  who  tradi- 
tion alleges  was  of  the  Cheshire,  England,  Potts',  and  being 
an  ardent  supporter  of  King  William  III,  joined  him  in 
1688,  followed  him  into  Ireland,  and  after  the  decisive  battle 
of  Aughrim  in  1691,  settled  at  Tinemuck  in  King's  County. 

This  Ijranch  have  a  further  tradition  that  the  family  orig- 
inally came  into  Bngland  from  Holland,  having  been  driven 
out  of  that  country  bj^  the  persecutions  of  the  Duke  of  Alva. 
The  arms  borne  by  this  family  are  as  follows. 

Arms.     Azure,  two  bars  or,  over  all  a  bend  of  the  last. 

Crest.     On  a  wreath  a  leopard  sejant  ppr.  collared  and  chained  or. 

Motto.     In  Vinculis  Etiam  Audax. 

Some  5'ears  ago  ]\Ir.  William  Potts,  of  Athlone,  sent  a 
cop3'  of  these  arms  to  the  writer  hereof,  stating  that  he  had 
in  his  possession  several  ancient  copies,  one  on  an  old  cup 
of  the  time  of  Queen  Anne. 

[A  Richard  Potts  who  died  at  Percival  in  Scotland,  about 
1670,  left  a  will  which  is  on  file  in  the  Public  Record 
Office  at  Dublin,  Ireland.  This  will  is  w-ritten  in  L,atin  on 
parchment  and  has  an  English  translation  pinned  to  it.  He 
mentions  his  son  William  Potts  in  Ireland,  to  whom  he 
leaves  1800  marks.  Query.  Was  this  William  identical 
with  the  William  of  Tinemuck  ?] 

Whether  William  Potts  married  in  England  or  Ireland, 
does  not  appear,  nor  is  his  wife's  name  given.  His  descend- 
ants, while  not  numerous,  have  been  most  respecflable  and 
prosperous. 


The  Family  in  Ireland,  99 

Children  of  William  akd  Potts. 

■2  David  Potts,  m,  Jane  Truraperant;  d.  before  1738. 

3  John  Potts,  m.  ist, ,   2d,  Jane  Potts,  nee  Truinperant. 

4  Satuuel  Potts,    m. ,   d.  1771. 

5  William  Potts,  m,  Rebecca ;  d.  aljout  1721, 

6  Jane  Potts,  m.  , Leverack. 

7  Dorothy  Potts,  ni.  John  Truinperant. 

8  Mary  Potts,    m.  Peacock, 


2  David  Potts, ^  (William,^),  is  said  to  have  been  born 
about  1690,  One  autliorit}'  alleges  that  he  married  Anne, 
daughter  of  John  Trumperant,  another  authority  gives  her 
name  as  Mary  ;  but  from  the  will  of  John  Potts,  (1738),  it 
is  evident  that  her  name  was  Jane.  David  Potts  died  be- 
fore 1738,  and  his  widow  seems  to  have  married  his  brother 
John  Potts. 

Children  of  David  and  Jane  (Trumperant)  Potts. 

9  William  Potts,  b.  1729;  d.  1799;  m;  Eleanor  Young, 

10  John  Potts,  b.  1730;  d.  181 1;  unm. 

11  James  Potts,  d.  1796;  m,  Elizabeth  Narney. 

12  Samuel  Potts. 

13  Mary  Potts,  m.  George  Jessop. 

14  Ellinor  Potts,  m. Bernard, 

15  Jane  Potts,  d.  1804;  unm; 


3  John  Potts, ^  (William,''),  was  a  merchant  of  Ath- 
lone,  County  Roscommon.  He  was  twice  married,  the  name 
of  his  first  wife  is  not  given.  He  seems  to  have  married  for 
his  second  wife,  Jane,  the  widow  of  his  brother  David.  He 
died  about  1738,  leaving  a  will  in  which  he  dire(5ls  that  his 
body  be  buried  beside  his  former  wife  in  Ballyloghlow 
Church-yard.  Jane  his  widow  seems  to  have  died  about 
1 781.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  will  as  found  in  the 
Public  Record  Office  at  Dublin,  and  is  now  reproduced 
because  it  makes  clear  the  state  of  the  family  at  that  time. 


_.  Si  -'• 


loo  The  Potts  Family  ix  Great  Britain. 

The  Will  of  John  Potts,  of  Athlonc,   1738. 

In  The  Name  of  God,  Amen,  I,  John  Potts,  of  Athlone  in  tlie 
County  of  Roscommon,  Merchant,  being  in  health  of  Body  and  Sound 
and  disposing  mind  and  understanding,  thanks  be  to  the  Almighty 
God,  and  considering  the  uncertainty  of  this  Life,  do  make  and  con- 
stitute this  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  as  FoUoweth, 

Imprimis  I  resign  my  ,Soul  to  God  hoping  through  the  merits  and 
sufferings  of  my  Blessed  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ,  to  obtain  pardon  for 
my  sins,  and  my  body  I  connnit  to  the  Earth  to  be  decently  interred 
with  the  body  of  my  former  Wife  in  Ballyloghlow  church  yard  in  the 
in  the  County  of  West  Meath  if  I  dye  in  or  near  my  now  Dwelling 
house,  but  if  it  shall  happen  elsewhere  it  is  my  will  that  I  shall  be 
burned  according  to  the  discression  of  such  of  my  friends  as  shall  be 
near  me  at  the  time  of  my  death;  And  as  to  such  W'orldly  Substance 
as  God  in  His  mercy  hath  been  pleased  to  bestow  on  me  I  give  and 
dispose  thereof  as  follows, 

First  It  is  my  will  that  all  my  just  debts  and  funeral  expenses  be 
paid  with  all  convenient  speed  after  my  decease,  and  that  all  my  ef- 
fects real  and  personal  shall  remain  intire  in  the  hands  of  my  execu- 
tors hereinafter  named  until  such  my  debts  and  funeral  expenses  will 
be  fully  paid  off  and  discharged,  it  being  the  true  intent  of  this  my 
will  that  my  yearly  income  or  Profit  Rents  of  which  I  will  die  pos- 
sessed and  the  rest  of  my  effedls  shall  remain  so  long  in  the  hands  of 
said  executors  as  will  be  necessary  to  make  up  thereby  my  said  debts 
and  funeral  expenses,  after  which  and  no  sooner  it  is  my  will  that  ye 
following  Legacies  be  paid 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Dear  Wife  Jane  Potts  alias  Trum- 
perant  alias  Williamson,  in  case  she  survive  me,  fifteen  pounds  Ster- 
ling per  annum  to  be  paid  to  her  by  my  Brother  Samuel  Potts  out  of 
the  profits  of  the  farm  and  other  effecfts  of  Tinemuck,  half  yearly  dur- 
ing her  natural  life,  which  sum  of  fifteen  pounds  Sterling  is  to  be  paid 
in  Lieu  and  in  full  satisfaction  of  all  dowers  or  thirds  she  may  have  or 
obtain  out  of  my  Real  or  personal  estate. 

Item  Whereas  my  Brother  Samuel  Potts  is  now  of  the  Farm  of 
Tinemuck  in  the  Kings  County  as  my  Tennant,  Its  my  will  and  I 
do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  to  the  said  Samuel  the  said  Tinemuck, 
subje<5l  to  the  rents  &  covenants  under  which  I  hold  the  same  for  and 
during  the  term  of  his  natural  life,  if  the  Term  I  will  have  therein  at 
the  time  of  my  death  so  long  continue,  he  the  said  Samuel  Potts  pay- 
ing unto  my  sister  Jane  Leverack  otherwise  Potts  the  sum  of  ten 
pounds  Sterling  in  one  year's  time  after  my  decease,  and  paying  unto 
my  sister  Dorothy  Trumperant  alias  Potts  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  Ster- 


The  Family  in  Ireland.  ioi 

ling  more  within  the  space  of  two  years  after  my  decease,  and  paying 
unto  my  sister  Marj-  Peacock  alias  Potts  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  more 
within  the  space  of  three  years  after  my  decease,  together  with  the 
aforementioned  fifteen  pounds  Sterling  per  annum  to  be  paid  to  my 
Dear  Wife  during  her  natural  life  after  my  decease,  which  said  three 
several  sums  of  ten  pounds  each,  I  bequeath  to  my  said  three  several 
sisters  to  be  paid  unto  them  in  the  manner  aforesaid.  And  I  do  be- 
queath the  same  as  a  charge  on  the  said  Farm  at  Tinemuck,  and  I  do 
bequeath  that  the  said  several  sums  of  ten  pounds  each  shall  be  to  the 
sole  and  separate  uses  of  my  said  sisters  respectively  without  the  in- 
termedling  of  anj'  of  their  husbands,  or  any  of  their  husbands  having 
any  power  over  any  part  of  the  same,  and  in  case  the  said  Samuel  Potts 
shall  die  before  the  expiration  of  the  lease  of  the  said  Lands  of  Tine- 
muck,  I  desire  ye  remainder  of  ye  term  then  unexpired  to  the  eldest 
son  then  lixnng  of  the  said  Samuel  Potts,  and  in  case  he  have  no  son 
then  living,  I  desire  and  bequeathe  the  same  to  ye  several  Daughters  of 
the  said  Samuel  Potts  equally  to  be  divided  between  them,  and  if  but 
one  Daughter  and  no  Son,  such  Daughter  to  have  the  same,  and  in 
case  the  said  Samuel  should  die  without  issue  of  His  Body  Lawfully 
begotten  living  at  the  time  of  his  death,  then  I  give  and  devise  the  re- 
mainder of  the  benefit  of  said  Farm  unto  the  eldest  son  of  my  Brother 
David  Potts,  deceased. 

Item  My  will  is  that  my  dearly  beloved  Wife  Jane  shall  have,  hold 
and  enjoy  during  her  natural  life  the  best  Room  in  my  Dwelling  House 
with  all  the  furniture  thereof  to  her  own  use. 

Item  Whereas  Jane  Potts,  othewise  Trumperant,  and  I  have  agreed 
and  entered  into  articles  of  agreement,  wherein  (int.  al. )  I  oblige  my- 
self, my  executors  and  administrators  to  find  and  cure  for  .said  Jane, 
Fodder  and  Keeping  for  six  cows  for  and  during  her  life  in  the  Bigg 
Medow  or  some  other  convenient  place  near  the  town  of  Athlone  And 
whereas  William  Potts,  son  of  my  Brother  David  Potts,  deceased,  will 
be  intitled  unto  the  Lease  of  the  said  Bigg  Medow  when  he  shall  ar- 
rive at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  my  will  is  that  the  said  William 
Potts  do  confirm  and  make  good  my  said  agreement  with  his  mother, 
the  said  Jane,  &  find  her  and  secure  her  at  his  expense  for  her  every 
year  during  her  natural  life  the  said  Jane,  pasture,  Fodder  and  Keep- 
ing for  said  six  cows  in  said  Bigg  Medow  or  some  other  covenient 
place  near  the  said  town  of  Athlone  and  dwelling  house  of  her  the  said 
Jane  Potts,  or  that  the  said  William  Potts  shall  give  her  the  real  value 
of  such  pasture,  Fodder  and  Keeping  In  consideration  whereof  and 
the  love  and  regard  I  have  for  the  said  William  Potts,  I  leave  and 
bequeath  unto  him,  the  said  William  Potts,  the  Farm  of  Cloolonan  in 


ro2  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

the  Coimtj'  of  West  Meatli  siibjedl  to  the  rents  and  covenants  under 
which  I  hold  the  same  and  otherwnse  my  will  is  that  my  executors  dis- 
pose of  said  farm  as  they  shall  think  proper  to  any  other  son  of  the 
said  Da\ad  Potts,  deceased. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Dear  Brother-in-law,  John 
Trimiperant,  my  Riding  Mare  and  Furniture,  plate  &  watch. 

Item  As  to  the  residue  of  all  and  singular  my  real  and  personal  es- 
tate of  any  kind  or  nature  whatsoever,  not  hereby  already  disposed  of, 
I  will,  devise  and  bequeath  the  same  for  and  in  Lieu  of  all  the  assetts 
and  effedls  of  What  Kind  soever  whereof  my  Brother  David  Potts  died 
possessed  of,  unto  William  Potts,  eldest  son  of  my  Brother  David 
Potts,  deceased,  if  he  will  be  living  at  the  time  of  my  Death,  or  to  the 
eldest  son  of  ye  said  David  Potts  then  living,  paying  unto  Mary  Potts 
Daughter  to  David  Potts,  deceased,  the  sura  of  one  hvindred  and  fifty 
pounds  when  she  shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  5'ears,  and  pay- 
ing unto  Elinor  Potts  second  daughter  of  said  David  Potts,  deceased, 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  Sterling,  when  she  shall  ar- 
rive at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years.  And  paying  unto  John  Potts,  sec- 
ond son  to  David  Potts,  deceased,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  Sterling,  when  he  shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years. 
And  paying  unto  James  Potts  third  son  of  David  Potts,  deceased,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  Sterling,  when  the  said  James  shall  arrive  at 
the  age  of  twenty  one  years.  And  paying  to  Jane  Potts,  third  Daugh- 
ter of  David  Potts,  deceased,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
Sterling,  when  she  shall  have  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years. 
And  paying  unto  vSamuel  Potts,  fourth  son  of  Da\ad  Potts,  deceased, 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  Sterling,  when  the  said  Sam- 
uel shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years.  And  paying  unto  Jane 
Potts,  Daughter  of  my  Brother  William  Potts,  deceased,  the  sum  of 
five  pounds  Sterling  within  the  space  of  one  year  after  my  death;  And 
in  case  [if  any]  of  the  said  children  of  my  said  Brother  David  Potts 
shall  die  before  such  child  comes  to  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  then 
in  svich  case  my  will  is  and  I  give  and  bequeath  the  share  or  portion 
of  every  such  child  so  dying  under  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  to  be 
equally  divided  amongst  the  survivors  of  said  children  of  said  David 
Potts,  deceased 

And  Lastly,  I  constitute,  nominate  and  appoint  my  said  Brother 
Samuel  Potts  and  nu'  Brothern-law  John  Trumperant  Executors  of 
this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  hereby  revoking  and  making  void  all 
former  Wills  and  Codicils  by  me  heretofore  made  and  ratifying  and 

confirming  this  only  as  my  last  Will  and  Testament  this day  of 

June,  1738,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty  eight. 

JOHN  POTTS     (Seal) 


Tpie  FAMII.Y  IN  Ireland.  103 

Signed,  Sealed  and  published  in  the  presence  of  us  who  also  sub- 
scribed our  names  as  Witnesses  to  the  same  in  presence  of  the  Testator 
who  first  declared  the  same  to  be  his  last  will  and  testament. 

Math  McNemara    Richard  Glass    Michael  Naughten 

4  Samuel  Potts, ^  (William,^),  was  a  resident  of  Tine- 
iiiuck,  ill  the  Kings  County,  and  by  the  will  of  his  brother 
John  Potts  in  1738,  he  succeeded  to  the  farm  at  that  place, 
and  probably  continued  to  live  there  until  his  death  about 
1 770.  He  was  married  but  the  name  of  his  wife  is  not  giv- 
en. He  left  a  will  dated  18  April,  1770.  A  daughter  Anne 
survived  him.  If  he  had  sons  or  other  daughters  they  must 
have  been  deceased  before  the  making  of  his  will.  He  be- 
queathed ^1000  to  different  grandchildren  and  friends. 

Child  of  Samuel  and Potts. 

16  Anne  PoTTS. 

5  William  Potts,'  (William,^),  settled  in  the  island 
of  Barbadoes  where  he  died  about  1721,  leaving  a  wife  Re- 
becca and  a  son  William  and  a  daughter  Jane.  William  the 
son  subsequentl}^  settled  in  Maryland  in  America,  but  re- 
truned  to  Barbadoes  and  died  there.  The  family  afterward 
made  a  permanent  settlement  in  Maryland  where  the  family 
gained  a  high  social  position.  This  branch  will  be  fully 
treated  of  in  a  special  Chapter  in  Part  II  of  this  work. 
Jane  the  daughter  is  mentioned  by  her  uncle  John  Potts  in 
his  will  in  1738,  who  leaves  her  a  small  legacy. 

Children  of  William  and  Rebecca  ( )  Potts. 

17  William  Potts,  m.  Sarah  L,ee. 

18  Jane  Potts. 

7  Dorothy  Potts, ^  (William,^),  became  the  wife  of 
John  Trumperant,  a  gentleman  of  wealth  and  position,  of  the 
County  of  Roscommon.  His  estate  included  lands  and  ten- 
ements at  Correen,  Cloonaskera  and  Moorduffe.      He  died 


I04         The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

December,  1768.  His  will  is  dated  November  24,  1758, 
with  a  codicil  Dec.  12,  1768,  and  proved  Dec.  27,  1768. 
After  providing  for  his  wife  Dorothy,  he  leaves  his  entire 
estate  to  the  issue  of  his  wife's  late  brother  David  Potts,  in 
tail  male.*     No  issue. 

9  William  Potts,'  (David,*  William,'),  born  about 
1729,  married  Eleanor  Young,  of  County  Roscommon.  He 
inherited  the  estate  of  his  maternal  uncle,  John  Trumperant, 
and  settled  at  Athlone. 

He  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  his  Barbadoes  and 
Maryland  cousins  until  late  in  life.  The  following  are  a 
few  brief  extradls  from  some  of  his  letters  which  are  still 
preserved  by  the  family  in  Maryland.  In  1756  learning 
that  his  cousin  William  Potts,  of  Barbadoes,  was  then  on  a 
visit  to  lyondon  for  the  purpose  of  placing  his  eldest  son 
William  with  an  aunt,  he  wrote  to  him  as  follows, 

1756.  I  have  just  met  a  gentleman  going  to  the  Temple,  by  whom 
I  have  sent  you  a  gold  signet  ring  vi-ith  our  family  arms  engraved  u\>- 
on  it,  left  me  by  my  grandfather.  This  opportuniy  so  unexpe(5led, 
occasions  my  being  so  brief  in  respedl  to  our  family,  as  just  to  infonn 
you  that  we  are  originally  English.  William  Potts,  of  Tinemuck  in 
the  King's  County,  Ireland,  was  your  grandfather,  who  had  four  sons 
John  who  died  without  issue,  William  your  father,  David  my  father, 
and  Samuel. 

1756.  My  brother  James  just  going  to  London  will  give  you  a  gold 
signet  ring,  which  I  send  you,  with  our  arms  engraved  on  it,  left  me 
by  my  grandfather.  I  am  sorry  it  is  not  of  more  value,  but  such  as  it 
is  I  am  extremely  glad  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  gratify  you.f  I  had 
a  letter  from  my  brother  Jack,  just  leaving  Barbadoes  for  London,  on 
his  passage  home.  He  brought  no  commodites  from  the  Island,  as  he 
meant  to  take  the  first  ship  homeward  bound. 

1764.  My  brother  James  is  condudting  a  newspaper  in  Dublin  which 
yields  him  about  ^1000  a  year. 

*  Note.  The  ^vill  of  John  Tntniperant  is  most  carefully  drawn  and  is  very  long 
covering  twenty-five  large  folio  pages  and  containing  about  nine  thousand  words. 

t  Note.  This  ring  is  still  preserved  in  the  family  and  was  in  pos.se.ssion  of  the 
late  George  M.  Potts,  of  Freaerick,  Md.,  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  few  years  ago. 


The  Familv  in  Ireland.  105 

About  1767  he  writes  of  his  brother  James  as  a  printer 
settled  in  Duane  Street,  Dublin,  and  his  brother  John  as 
trading  to  the  West  Indes. 

He  resided  at  Correen  Castle,  Ballinsloe,  County  Roscom- 
mon, which  has  since  continued  to  be  the  chief  residence 
of  the  family.  He  died  11  Nov.  1799,  in  the  71st  year  of 
his  age.  His  will  is  in  the  Public  Record  Office  at  Dublin. 
A  burial  tablet  in  the  Church  of  St.  Marys  at  Athlone  bears 
the  following  inscription, 

The  remains  of  William  Potts,  of  Correen  in  the  County  of  Roscom- 
mon, Esqr.,  are  deposited  in  the  family  burial  place,  adjoininu;  the 
south  wall  of  this  church.  He  died  on  the  nth  day  of  Novenilier, 
1799,  in  the  71st  year  of  his  age. 

Children  of  Wii,liam  and  Eleanor  (Young)  Potts. 

19  John  Trumperant  Potts,    b.  1770;  d.  1836;  m.  Catharine  Griffin. 

20  James  David  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1844;  m.  Elizabeth  Narney. 

21  William  Young  Potts,   b.  1780;  d.  ;  m.  Letitia  Armstrong. 

22  Olivia  Potts,  m.  Rev.  Thomas  Hancock. 

23  Mary  Anne  Potts. 

24  Jane  Potts. 

25  Elizabeth  Potts. 

26  Elinor  Potts,  m. Schadde. 

27  Harriet  Potts. 

28  Sarah  Potts. 


10  John  Potts,'  (David,' William, *)  born  about  1730, 
died  16  December,  181 1,  unmarried.  He  was  an  active  bus- 
iness man  and  in  his  younger  days  made  several  sea  voy- 
ages. In  1 755  he  shipped  to  Barbadoes,  West  Indes,  where 
he  visited  his  cousins  and  writes  warmly  of  their  kindness 
and  hospitality.  He  was  at  Lisbon,  Portugal,  just  after  the 
great  earthquake. 

In  1767,  in  writing  of  himself  to  his  cousin  William  Potts 
of  Barbadoes,  he  says, 

I  have  a  malt-house  at  Athlone,  and  also  an  appointment  in  the  rev- 
14 


io6  The  PotTvS  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

enue  service.  I  am  not  married.  I  look  on  myself  as  unsettled,  and 
have  some  thought  of  once  more  seeing  my  American  friends,  and  if 
so,  I  shall  write  to  have  your  opinion  of  the  cargo  I  had  best  provide. 

In  1799  he  VvTite.s  to  his  American  cousins,  and  speaks  of 
the  death  of  his  brother  James  as  having  taken  place  in  the 
year  1796,  and  that  he  had  inherited  his  l:)rother's  printing 
business  In  Duijhn,  which  was  Ijeing  managed  by  his  neph- 
ew James  Potts,  (son  of  William).  He  was  then  living  at 
Athlone,  and  was  still  expedling  to  make  another  visit  to 
America.  He  also  .speaks  of  his  brother  William  as  in  very 
feeble  health  at  that  time. 

His  will  bears  date  of  5  June,  1799,  to  vv-hich  are  added 
two  codicils,  dated  respedtivel}^  12  August,  1S07,  and  23 
June,  1809.  The  will  was  proven  10  January,  181 2.  This 
will  is  very  voluminous,  containing  about  10,000  words. 
He  made  his  nephew  James  David  Potts  his  principal  heir, 
after  whom  it  was  entailed  to  certain  heirs.  After  the  de- 
cease of  James  David  Potts,  questions  aro.se  as  to  the  line  of 
entail,  and  in  1848  an  important  suit  at  law  was  had  to  de- 
termine the  construdtion  of  the  will. 

A  tombstone  in  St.  Marys  churchyard  at  Athlone  bears 
the  following  iusciption, 

Beneath  this  stone  are  deposited  the  remains  of  John  Potts,  of  Ath- 
lone, Esq.,  who  departed  this  life  on  the  16"'  day  of  December,  181 1, 
in  the  82""^  year  of  his  age,  highly  respe<5led  as  an  indulgent  landlord 
and  an  honest  gentleman. 


II     James  Potts, ^  (David, ^  William,'),  born ,  and 

died  in  1796.  He  married  Elizabeth  Narney  but  left  no 
children.  He  settled  in  Dublin  about  1760,  and  in  1762  be- 
came proprietor  of  Saunder'  s  Nezvs  Letter,  a  newspaper, 
which  proved  to  be  a  very  suceessful  venture  to  him.  In 
1764  it  was  yeilding  him  about  ^1000  a  year.  He  built  a 
residence  called   "Richview,"   and  until  about  1875  some  of 


The  Family  in  Ireland.  107 

this  Potts  family  continued  to  live  in  Dublin,  in  Fitzwilliam 
Square  or  elsewhere  in  the  city. 

His  will  is  dated  15  January,  1787,  and  proven  2  May, 
1796.  He  left  the  bulk  of  his  e.state  to  his  brother  John 
Potts,  l>ut  made  provision  for  his  wife  Elizabeth,  his  moth- 
er Jane  Potts  of  Athlone,  and  leaves  legacies  to  his  sisters 
Elinor  Bernard  and  Jane  Potts  as  well  as  to  several  nephews 
and  nieces.  He  makes  a  bequest  for  a  monumental  stone 
to  be  erecled  over  the  grave  of  ' '  my  father-in-law  ' '  in  Saint 
Werburglis  Churchward,  Dublin,  and  also  for  a  monument- 
al stone  at  the  [Potts]  family  burying  place  in  the  church- 
yard at  Athlone.     Elizabeth  Potts,  his  widow,  died  1800. 


12  Samuel  Potts,'  (' David, ^  William, i),  was  living  in 
1758  when  he  was  mentioned  in  the  wnll  of  his  uncle  John 
Trumperant.  It  is  probable  that  he  died  without  issue, 
or  he  may  have  been  that  member  of  the  famil}-  who  is  said 
to  have  gone  to  America  with  ' '  a  cornet  of  horse ' '  and  was 
lo.st  sight  of. 


19  John  Trumperant  Potts,*  (William,'  David,' Wil- 
liam, i),  born  1770  and  died  Februarj'  13,  1836.  He  mar- 
ried Catharine,  daughter  of  Rev.  Michael  Griflfin,  of  Elfin, 
County  Roscommon.  He  was  a  Eieutenant  in  the  14th 
Regiment  Light  Dragoons.  His  tombstone  in  the  church- 
yard at  Athlone  bears  the  following  inscription, 

Underneath  are  the  remains  of  John  Trumperant  Potts,  of  St.  Marks, 
Esq.,  in  this  County,  who  died  Feb.  23 'd,  1836,  aged  66  years.  This 
monument  is  erecSled  by  his  sons  as  a  token  of  their  love  for  an  affec- 
tionate father. 


io8  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain. 

ChIKDRKNOFJoHNTrUMPERANT  AND  CATHARINE  (GRIEFIN)  POTTS. 

29  William  Truniperant  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1881.;  unni. 

30  John  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  18^3;  m.  Jane  F.  Johnston. 

31  Joseph  Truniperant  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1871;  m.  Mrs.  Mary  Potts. 

32  Henry  Truniperant  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1893;  m.  Letitia  L,.  Potts. 

33  Ellen  Trumperant  Potts. 


20  James  David  Potts, ^  (William, ^  David, ^  William,^), 
inaried  Elizabeth  Narney.  He  died  at  Cheltenham,  Eng- 
land, Nov.  16,  1844.  At  the  death  of  his  uncle  Jarae.s 
Potts  in  1796  he  became  the  manager  of  the  Sauiider'  s  News 
Letter,  and  its  proprietor  at  the  death  of  his  uncle  John 
Potts,  in  1811. 

Children  of  James  David  and  Elizabeth  (N.a.rnev)  Potts. 

34  James  Potts,   b.  1799;  d,  1844. 

35  Rev.  John  Henr}^  Potts,  b.  1801;  d.  1835;  m.  Mary  Hill. 

36  William  Potts,  b.  1807. 

37  Olivia  Potts. 

38  Ellen  Jane  Potts,   m.  Marsden. 

39  Maria  Potts,  m.  Bourke. 

40  Louisa  Potts. 


21     William  Young  Potts, ^    (William,'   David,'   Wil- 
liam,'),   born  1780,  married  Letitia  Armstrong,    and  died 


Children  of  William  Young  and  Letitia  (Armstong)  Potts. 

41  John  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1839. 

42  William  Potts,  b.  1820;  m.  Louisa  Reid. 

43  Letitia  Louisa  Potts. 


29  William  Trumperant  Potts,*  (John  Trumperant,* 
William,'  David,*  William,'),  born ,  died  1881,  unmar- 
ried.    He  was  educated  at  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  inher- 


The  Fa:\iily  in  Ireland.  109 

ited  a  large  estate,  and  held  the  position  of  High  Sheriff  of 
Roscommon.  He  resided  at  Correen  Castle  and  died  pos- 
sessed of  large  estate. 


30     Jdhn  Trumperant  Potts,  '  (John  Trumperant, *  Wil- 
liam,' David,'  William,'),   born .  and  died  1853.       He 

was  educated  at  Trinity-  College,  Dublin.  He  married  Jane 
Frances,  daughter  of  Captain  William  Johnston,  of  Seven 
Churches,  Kings  Count}',  and  settled  in  the  Dominion  of 
Canada.  Catharine  Potts,  the  widow,  died  at  Kincardine, 
Canada,   1889. 

Children  of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  Frances  (Johnston) 

POTTS. 

44  Bessie  Trumperant  Potts. 

45  William  Trumperant  Potts.     He  is  married,  has  a  family,  and 

resides  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  a  manu- 
facturer of  artficial  limbs,  at  Juniper  Street,  near  the  City 
Hall.* 

46  Henry  Trumperant  Potts. 

47  John  Trumperant  Potts. 

48  James  Trumperant  Potts,   d.  1884. 

49  Joseph  Trumperant  Potts. 


35  Rev.  John  Henry  Potts'  (James  David,*  William,' 
David,'  Wlliam,'),  born  1801,  married  Mary  Hill,  and  died 
1835.  The  widow  subsequently'  married  Joseph  Trumpe- 
rant Potts,  (31). 

Chii^dren  of  Rev.  John  Hefrv  and  Mary  (H11.1.)  Potts. 

50  John  Namey  Potts,  b.  1835;  d.  i860.     He  was  educated  at  Trin- 

ity College,  Cambridge,  and  became  heir  to  a  considerable 
estate,  but  died  suddenl}^  while  sojourning  in  Scotland. 

51  Letitia  Potts,  m.  Arthur  Todd. 


*  Note.     The  compiler  hereof  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Win.  T.  Potts,  for  the  loan  of 
a  colle<5tion  vahiable  family  papers,  as  well  also  for  important  information  given. 


no  The  Potts  Family  in  Great  Britain". 

42  Wiij.iAM  P0TT.S,'  (William  Young/  William,'  Dav- 
id,^ William,'),  born  1820,  and  married  Louisa,  daughter 
of  Robert  Reid,  of  West  Meath.  Mr.  Potts  resides  at  New 
Court,  Atlilone,  and  is  one  of  her  iVFajesty's  Justices  of  the 
Peace.-'' 

ChII.»REN  of  WiUJAM  AND'  LOUISA  ( REID)  PoTTS. 

52  James  WiTlianr  Potts,  b.  1S52;  m.  Minnie  Pteston.      Captain  in- 

the  Royal  Artflleiy.. 

53  William  Trumperant  Potts-,    m.    Helen    Minchin.      Residence.. 

Correen  Castle. 

54  Harry  David  Potts. 

55  Letitia  Loiiisa  Potts,^  m.  Heiir}-  Trun;peraiit  Potts,  (,32). 

56  57     5S    Three  other  daughters-. 


The  chart  printed  upon  the  opposite  page  will  show  pret- 
iy  clearly  the  state  -of  the  family. 


*  Note.    The  compiler  hereof  i.s  indebted  to  Mr.  Potfs  for  <'aUiable  data  used  id 
preparing  this  Chapter. 


The  Family  in  Irel.ajsd. 


Ill 


2        I 


-rs 


PART  II. 
The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


^,%</A^^t£i  Sl^ 


PART  11. 

THE  POTTS  FAMILY  IN  AMERICA. 


Introduction. 


While  Potts  cannot  be  said  to  be  a  common  name  in  Amer- 
ica, yet  there  are  many  families  bearing  this  surname  scat- 
tered through  the  Middle,  Southern  and  Western  States. 
These  are  descended  from  several  different  emigrant  ances- 
tors, who  ma}^  have,  in  a  more  remote  past,  sprung  from  a 
common  original  stock  in  Great  Britain. 

The  aim  of  this  work  has  been  to  collecft  and  compile  all 
information  obtainable  relative  to  the  earliest  settlers  or  an- 
cestors of  these  Potts  families  in  this  country,  together  with 
.some  account  of  their  immediate  and  direct  descendants. 
With  how  much  success  this  has  been  done  the  reader  must 
judge. 

In  addition  to  the  Potts  families  in  America  of  English 
extradlion,  there  are  also  some  of  German  origin  bearing  a 
similar  name,  but  who  seem  to  be  in  no  way  connected, 
notwithstanding  the  fa(ft  that  there  are  traditions  to  the  ef- 
fecfl  that  the  English  Potts'  were  originally  from  Germany. 
Some  account  of  a  few  of  these  German  families  will  be  giv- 
en at  the  end  of  this  se(ftion  of  this  work. 

To  the  late  Mr.  William  John  Potts  belongs  the  credit 
of  having  developed  the  first  clear  statement  of  the  early 
Potts  families  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  about 
whom  so  much  confusion  had  before  existed. 

(115) 


1 1 6  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

CHAPTER  I. 


The  Earliest  Potts  Emigrants. 


During  the  first  half  of  the  seventeenth  centur}'  several 
persons  named  Pott  or  Potts  emigrated  to  America,  but  the 
accounts  that  have  come  down  to  our  time  are  in  most  in- 
stances very  meager  and  unsatisfa(5tory.  It  is  not  known 
that  any  of  these  early  emigrants  left  descendants,  or  that 
they  all  continued  to  liv^e  in  America. 

Richard  Pott  or  Potts  is  the  first  person  bearing  this 
family  name  known  to  have  come  to  America.  He  came 
with  the  ' '  First  Supply  of  Passengers,  perhaps  in  January 
1607-8,"  to  Virginia.  He  was  the  author  or  compiler  of  the 
Proceedings  of  the  English  Colony  in  Virginia,  from  1606 
to  161 2,  Oxford,  161 2.  See  Preface  of  A  Tnde  Relatio7i  of 
Virginia  by  Captai^i  John  Smith,  with  an  Introdu£lion  by 
Charles  Deane.  Boston,  MDCCCLXVI,  pp.  xxiv,  xxv. 
"  Richard  Pots  Clarke  of  the  Councill."  Page  xliv,  Rich- 
ard Pots  is  designated  among  the  settlers  who  came  1607-8, 
as    "Gentleman." 

The  Virginia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  Vol.  I, 
page  484,  says  "The  history  of  the  first  administration  is 
given  in  the  Oxford  Tradl,  published  161 2,  which  was  writ- 
tei\  by  Richard  Pott,  one  of  the  Colonists,  etc." 

Dr.  John  Pott,  with  Elizabeth  his  wife,  came  to  Virginia, 
in  1620,  and  settled  at  James  City  or  Jamestown,  and  was 
physician  to  the  Colony.  He  served  as  a  Member  of  Coun- 
cil and  was  Governor  of  the  Colony  for  some  time.  A  more 
complete  .sketch  will  be  found  in  the  next  Chapter. 


The  Earliest  Potts  Emigrants.  117 

Capt.  Francis  Pott,  brother  of  Dr.  John  Pott,  was  also 
an  early  settler,  and  was  for  some  time  the  Commandant  at 
Point  Comfort.  A  fuller  account  will  be  found  in  the  next 
Chapter. 

John  Pott,  Jr.,  a  nephew  of  Dr.  John  and  Capt.  Francis 
Pott,  was  a  contemporary  resident  of  the  Colony,  and  will 
be  further  mentioned  in  the  next  Chapter. 

Hallet  Pott  received  a  grant  of  700  acres  of  land  near 
"  James  Cittie,"  September  4,  1641,  as  we  learn  from  Book 
I,   folio  758,  Virginia  Land  Registry  Office. 

Anthony  Pott.  In  Hotloii' s  Lists  of  Emigrants  to  Amer- 
ica, among  the  passengers  in  the  Paule  of  London,  Leonard 
Betts,  M'.,  "  vj  Julij  1635,"  bound  for  Virginia,  with  Cer- 
tificate from  the  minister  of  Gravesend  of  their  conformity 
to  the  Church  of  England,  is  the  name  of  Ant"  Potts,  aged 
27  years. 

William  Potts.  In  Hotton' s  Lists,  among  the  passen- 
gers in  the  Alexander  bound  for  Barbadoes,  "  2"  Maij  1635," 
is  the  name  of  William  Potts. 


ii8  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  Potts  of  the  Virginia  Settlement.  ^ 


Sketch  of  Do<5tor  John  Pott. 

Of  the  early  life  of  Dr.  John  Pott,  who  with  his  wife 
Elizabeth  came  to  Jame.stown,  Virginia,  in  1620,  very  little 
information  has  been  discovered.  He  had  a  plantation  on 
the  site  of  present  city  of  Williamsburg  which  he  called 
"  Harrop,"  and  which  he  may  have  .so  named  in  honor  of 
his  ancestral  home.  Harrop  in  Cheshire  was  the  place  of 
residence  of  some  of  the  Potts  at  that  period.  One  Eaw- 
rence  Pott  of  Harrop  died  in  1573,  leaving  a  will.f  Francis 
Pott  of  Pott,  who  died  in  1638,  mentions  in  his  will  a  John 
Pott  of  Harrop,  who  owed  him  ^20. 1  This  appropriation 
of  the  name  ' '  Harrop ' '  by  Dr.  Pott  suggests  that  he  maj^ 
have  been  of  the  Cheshire  family. 

He  is  .said  to  have  taken  his  degree  of  A.  M.,  at  Oxford 
1605.  He  was  recommended  as  physician  to  the  London 
Company  by  the  eminent  Dr.  Theodore  Gulston,  the  found- 
er of  the  Gulstonian  Ledlureship  of  the  London  College  of 
Ph^'sicians.  In  the  minutes  of  the  Virginia  Company 
of  July  16,  1621,   is  the  following  entry. 

For  so  much  as  the  Phisicons  place  to  the  Company  was  now  be- 
come voyde  by  reason  of  the  untimely  death  of  Dr.  Bohune,  slaine  in 
the  fight  with  two  Spanish  Shipps  of  Warr  the  19th  of  March  last,  Dr. 
Gulstone  did  now  take  occasion  to  recommend  unto  the  Company  for 
the  said  place  one  M'"  Potts,  a  M""  of  Arts,  well  pra(5lised  in  Chirurgerie 
and  Physique,    and  expert  allso  in  distillinge  of  waters. 


*  NOTK.  In  preparing  this  Chapter  the  writer  has  drawn  very  liberally  from 
the  "  Virginia  Caroloruin,"  by  Rev.  Edward  D.  Neill;  the  "Virginia  Magazine  of 
History  and  Biography,"  etc. 

+  .See  page  iS,  ante. 

X  See  page  21,  ante. 


[-    in  the  Abigaile,  1620. 


The  Potts  of  the  Virginia  Settlement.        119 

The  following  is  the  Muster  of  Dr.  Pott. 

Muster  of  Doctor  John  Pott,  James  City. 

Do(5lor  John  Pott,  1        •     j  ;     ti      r^ 

TiT>    T^i-     u  ii   Ti  !i  ,  arnved  in  the  George. 

M's  Ehzabeth  Pott,  )  ^ 

Servants. 
Richard  Townshend,    aged  19,         in  the  Abigaile,   1620. 
Thomas  Wilson,  "      27,         "     "  "  " 

Osmond  Smith,  "      17,         "     "  Bona  Nova  " 

Susan  Blackwood,  maide  servant,    "     "    Abigaile,      " 

Men  in  the  Marine. 

Thomas  Leister,  aged  33   yeares.  -1 
Roger  Stanley,  "     27, 

Thomas  Prichard,  "     28, 

Henrj^  Crocker,  "     34, 

Thomas  Crosse,  "     22, 

John  Tyre,  "     20, 

Randall  Holt,  "     18,  in  the  George,   1620. 

In  1625  Dr.  Pott  was  commissioned  a  member  of  the 
Council,  in  which  office  he  continued  a  number  of  years. 
In  1628  he  was  chosen  Governor,  and  held  the  position 
until  the  early  part  of  1630,  when  he  was  superceded  by 
Sir  John  Harvey.  Dr.  Pott  is  described  as  an  educated 
phj-sician,  careless  in  business,  fond  of  good  living  and  jo- 
vial companions.  George  Sandys,  some  time  Colonial 
Treasurer,  a  .scholar  and  gossipy  writer,  in  a  letter  to  Sam- 
uel Wrote,  Esq.,  of  London,  written  April  9,  1623,  alluding 
to  Dr.  Pott,  says  : 

I  have  given  from  time  to  time  the  best  councell  I  am  able,  at  the 
first,  he  kept  companie  too  much  with  his  inferiours,  who  hung  upon 
him,  while  his  good  liquor  lasted.  After,  he  consorted  with  Captaine 
Whitacres,  a  man  of  no  good  example,  with  whom  he  is  gone  to  Kico- 
tan,  yet  wheresoever  he  bee,  he  shall  not  bee  without  reach  of  my 
care,  nor  want  for  any  thing  that  I  or  my  credit  can  procure  him. 

Thomas  Warnet,  who  had  been  the  principal  merchant  of 
Jamestown  died  in  February  1629-30.  Among  the  many 
legacies  named  in  his  will  is  one  to  "  Dr.  John  Pott,  adting 


I20  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Governor,  5000  pounds  of  nails,"  which  were  of  great  vahie 
to  one  starting  a  plantation;  and  to  Elizabeth  Pott,  the  Doc- 
tor's wife,  "one  corfe  and  one  cross  cloth  of  wrought 
gold." 

Governor  Harvey  was  very  arrogant  and  arbitrar}^  in  his 
course,  and  engendered  no  little  opposition  and  became  very 
unpopular.  Soon  after  his  ascendency  he  charged  his  pred- 
ecessor. Dr.  Pott,  with  misdemeanor  in  office  and  also  with 
keeping  some  cattle  which  did  not  belong  to  him,  though 
the  records  seem  to  indicate  that  he  claimed  them  as  his 
own.  Harvey  ordered  the  arrest  of  Pott,  who  was  then  at 
his  plantation  called  Harrop,  .seven  miles  from  Jamestown. 
He  appeared  before  the  General  Court  on  the  7th  of  July, 
1630,  and  before  a  jury  of  thirteen  was  tried  for  cattle  steal- 
ing. The  first  day  was  occupied  in  pleading,  and  Kings- 
well,  an  old  planter,  testified  adversely.  The  next  day  Dr. 
Pott  declared  that  the  witness  was  unreliable  and  hypocrit- 
ical, and  told  the  story,  of  Guzman  of  Alfrach  the  rogue. 
Reference  was  had  to  the  hero  of  a  Spanish  romance  by  Ma- 
teo Alemon  of  Seville,  called  ' '  Guzman  de  Alfrache  the 
Rogue."  * 

The  jury  found  a  verdi(5l  of  guilty,  but  judgment  was 
withheld  in  consideration  of  his  "quality  and  pradlice," 
until  the  King's  pleasure  could  be  known.  The  Governor 
reported  to  the  King,  stating  that  Dr.  Pott  ' '  was  the  onlj' 
physician  in  the  Colony  skilled  in  epidemical  diseases."  and 
suggested  that  his  estate  be  restored,  in  view  of  his  long  res- 
idence, and  the  value  of  his  services. 

Elizabeth  Pott,  the  Doctor's  wife,  impelled  by  affedlion, 
made  a  dangerous  voyage  to  England,  reaching  London  in 
September,  after  an  absence  of  ten  years,  and  pleaded  for 
her  husband.     The  case  was  referred  to  commissioners  who 


*  Note.  The  hero  of  the  romance  begins  his  career  as  a  scullion  in  Madrid, 
then  becomes  an  errand  boy,  steals  and  hides  himself  in  Toledo,  when  he  adls 
the  gentleman,  then  returns  to  Madrid  and  cheats  his  creditors. 


The  Potts  of  the  Virginia  Settlement.        121 

reported  that  the  condemning  of  Doctor  Pott  ' '  for  felony 
was  ver}'  rigorous,  if  not  erroneous,"  and  recommended  his 
pardon  which  was  promptly  granted. 

In  the  abstracts  of  the  \'irginia  land  patents  "  John  Pott, 
Esq.,  Dr.  of  Ph^'sic,  of  the  Council,"  is  granted  three  acres 
near  his  dM'elling  house  in  James  City  in  1624.  In  the  \'ir- 
ginia  Land  Registr)'  Office,  Book  i,  folio  61,  is  the  record  of 
the  grant  of  twelve  acres  to  Dr.  John  Pott,  vSeptember  20, 
1628.  He  appears  to  have  died  without  issue,  as  in  the 
Land  Books  of  1642,  there  a  is  mention  of  500  acres  of  land 
bought  by  Richard  Brewster  from  Captain  Francis  Pott, 
"brother  and  heir  of  Dr.  John  Pott." 


Sketch  of  Captain  Francis  PoU. 

Captain  PVancis  Pott,  a  brother  of  Dr.  John  Pott,  soon 
followed  him  to  the  \^irginia  Settlement,  and  was  for  some 
time  the  Commander  at  Old  Point  Comfort.  In  1(^29-30, 
Thomas  Warnet,  the  merchant  before  referred  to,  by  his 
will,  bequeathed  to  Captain  Francis  Pott  "a  debt  of  eigh- 
ty pounds  of  tobacco."  By  reason  of  his  want  of  sympathy 
with  the  unpopular  Governor  Har^-ey,  he  was  removed  from 
the  command  of  the  Fort  at  Point  Comfort  early  in  1635. 

On  April  2Sth,  1635.  Gov.  Harvey  caused  the  arrest  of 
Francis  Pott  and  others,  who  were  brought  to  Jamestown 
in  irons  ;  Capt.  Pott  being  charged  with  addressing  an  as- 
sembly at  York  when  he  .severely  criticised  the  course  of  the 
Governor.  When  brought  before  the  Council,  Pott  pro- 
duced a  paper  recounting  the  grievances  of  the  Colony, 
which  he  had  sent  on  to  York.  The  result  was  that  the 
breach  between  the  Governor  and  the  Council  became  wider, 
the  Governor  was  deposed,  and  the  statement  of  grievances 
.sent  to  the  King's  Commissioners  for  Virginia  in  England. 

In  the  same  ship  with  Harvey,  also  sailed  Captain  Pott 
16 


122  Thic  Potts  Famii.v  in  Amkrica. 

and  Tlioiiias  Harwuod,  represeiitin<<  the  Assembly  to  pre- 
sent their  complaints  and  their  reasons  for  sendin.y;  the  Gov- 
ernor home.  I'^pon  the  arrival  of  the  ship  at  Plymouth  on 
July  14th,  vSir  John  Harvey,  the  \'irginia  (>overnor,  made 
complaint  to  the  Ma\'or  of  "a  late  mutiny  and  rebellion  in 
the  Colony,"  when  Pott  and  Harwood,  the  representatives 
of  the  people,  were  arrested  and  kept  close  prisoners  in  the 
Fleet,  Pott  being  charged  as  the  principal  author  and  aclor. 

The  popular  sovereignty  exercised  by  the  Virginians 
found  no  favor  with  the  King — Charles  I.  It  was  not  tnitil 
December  iith,  that  the  case  of  Harvey  was  formally  dis- 
cussed by  the  King  and  Privy  Council.  After  the  letter  of 
the  \'irginia  Councillors  and  Burgesses  had  been  read,  the 
King  thought  it  was  necessary  to  send  Harve>'  back,  even 
if  he  should  remain  but  a  day,  that  it  was  "an  assiunption 
of  regal  power  to  send  hither  the  Governor."  It  is  not 
clear  when  Captain  Pott  returned  to  \'irginia. 

Francis  Pott  was  heir  to  his  brother  Ur.  John  Pott,  and 
in  1642  there  is  mention  of  500  acres  of  land  bought  by 
Richard  Brewster  from  Captain  Francis  Pott,  heir  and 
brother  of  Dr.  John  Pott.  In  1646  Captain  Pott  was  in 
England,  as  in  a  letter  dated  March  26th  of  that  year,  at 
Loudon,  and  recorded  in  Northampton  County,  Virginia, 
he  tells  his  nephew  John  Pott,  that  he  had  been  di.sappoint- 
ed  in  colledling  money  promised  him  by  Mr.  Nuthall  ;  that 
"  my  cozen  Menefie  had  paid  ^i  16  Sterling  to  me,"  and  his 
nephew  is  to  satisfy  the  debt  out  of  any  of  his  [Francis 
Pott's]  property,  except  his  negroes;  that  he  may  expe(5t 
from  him  more  ample  direcftions  by  the  next  shipping.  In 
a  postscript  he  says  he  received  ^4  more  from  Mrs.  Mary 
Menefie. 

In  1647  Francis  Pott  and  his  nephew  John  Pott  had  a 
plantation  at  Magothy  Bay.     On  February  15th  and  24th, 


The  Potts  of  the  Virginia  Settlement.        123 

1653.    Francis  Pott  had  grants  of  2000  and  1500  of  land  re- 
speclively  in  Nortliampton  County.-'^ 

A  Francis  Pott,  possibly  the  same,  was  SheriflF  of  Accomac 
Comity  in  1654.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  North- 
ampton County  in  1656.  He  died  in  1658,  leaving  his  prop- 
ery  to  his  nephew  John  Pott;  kinsmen  Henry  Perry  and 
wife;  godson  Argoll  Yardley;t  godson  Bishop,  "on  the 
<Uher  side  of  the  bay;"  "my  countrN-man  John  Allen." 
Also  to  his  [testator's]  sisters,  /"lo  Sterling  each.  Susan- 
na Potts,  his  widow,  married  William  Kendall  within  a  year 
or  two  after  Captain  Pott's  death. 


Sketch  of  John  Pott,  Junior. 

John  Pott,  Jr.,  a  nephew  of  Dr.  John  and  Capt.  FVancis 
Pott,  is  several  times  mentioned.  He  was  a.s.sociated  with 
his  Uncle  Francis  Pott  in  business  transactions,  and  was 
one  of  the  legatees  to  his  estate.  In  1647  he  and  his  Uncle 
F'rancis  had  a  plantation  at  Magothy  Bay.  In  1651  he  was 
a  signer  among  the  people  of  Northampton  County.  He 
probably  removed  to  Maryland,  as  there  is  a  power-of -at- 
torney, dated  October  i,  1660,  from  John  Pott,  of  Pautux- 
ent,  Mar\dand.  to  John  Severne,  of  Accomac,  recorded  in 
Nortliampton  County,  Virginia. 


*  See  Book  3,  pages  48,  49.  Virajinia  Land  Registry  Office. 

t  Note.  Argall  Yardley  was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  George  and  Lady  Temperance 
Yardley,  who  came  to  Virginia  about  1608  or  9.  Sir  George  Yardley  was  sometime 
Governor  of  Virginia. 


124  Thk  Potts  Famii.y  in  America. 


CHAPTER    III. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family. 


[InTkoductorv  NoTK.  To  dislinguisli  him  from  other  persons  of 
the  same  name,  this  Thomas  Potts  is  usually  designated  as  "Thomas 
Potts  of  the  Shield,"  or  "Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),"  indicating  the 
ship  in  which  he  came  to  America. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1869,  the  late  Mr.  William  John  Potts,  of  Cam- 
den, New  Jensey,  entered  into  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  history 
of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  his  family,  about  which  so  much  con- 
fusion had  before  existed.  He  succeeded  admirably  in  collecling  a 
large  amount  of  valuable  data,  and  in  making  a  clear  statement  of  the 
family  affiliations. 

It  was  Mr.  Potts'  intention  to  prepare  for  this  work,  "a  special  di- 
vision on  the  Potts'  of  the  Shield,  giving  principal  deeds  and  materi- 
al concerning  Thomas  Potts  of  the  Shield,  with  a  brief  outline  of  a  few 
of  his  descendants,"  as  he  expressed  it  in  one  of  his  later  letters.  It  is 
greatly  to  be  regretted  that  failing  health  prevented  I\Ir.  Potts  from 
carrying  out  his  intention  in  the  matter.  The  publisher  hereof  lias 
taken  I'p  the  subjedl,  and  following  out  the  plan  of  Mr.  W.  J.  Potts  as 
nearly  as  possible,  written  this  chapter  and  included  such  new  data  as 
has  more  recently  come  to  light.- — T.  M.  PoTTS.] 


Like  many  other  old  families,  thi.s  one  aLso  has  its  tradi- 
tions. One  account  alleges  that  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  .son 
of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  was  born  at  sea  during  tlie  pas- 
.sage  to  America.  Another  alleges  that  when  Thomas  Potts, 
(Shield),  left  England  for  America,  his  family  included  a 
daughter-in-law,  the  widow  of  his  eldest  son  ;  that  during 
the  pas.sage  the  yoimg  widow  was  delivered  of  a  .son  and 
subsequently  died  ;  and  that  the  child  was  nourished  while 
on  board  the  ship  by  a  goat.      It   is  further  said   that   the 


Tho.mas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  125 

family  on  reaching  the  banks  of  the  Delaware  first  lived  in 
a  cave  and  built  the  first  house  in  Burlington,  and  that  this 
infant  grandson  became  the  ancestor  of  the  New  Jersey 
family.  Still  another  says  that  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield), 
came  from  Handworth,  Yorkshire,  England.  However  in- 
teresting these  traditions  may  be,  they  are  not  wholly  sup- 
ported by  facfls,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  following  pages. 

Samuel  Smith's  History  of  New  Jersey  contains  the  follow- 
ing statement. 

In  the  loth  month,  O.  S.,  1678,  arrived  the  Shield,  from  Hull,  Dan- 
iel Towes,  commander,  one  of  the  ships  mentioned  in  the  above  letter, 
and  dropped  anchor  before  Burlington,  ?)eing  the  first  ship  that  came 
so  far  up  the  Delaware:  Against  Coaquanock  [Indian  name  for  Phil- 
adelphia] being  a  bold  shore,  she  went  so  near  in  turning,  that  part  of 
the  tackling  struck  the  trees  ;  some  on  board  then  remarked  it  was  a 
fine  spot  for  a  town  :  A  fresh  gale  brought  her  to  Burlington.  She 
moored  to  a  tree,  and  the  next  morning  the  people  came  ashore  on  the 
ice,  so  hard  had  the  river  suddenly  frozen.  In  her  came  William  Em- 
ley  the  second  time,  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  one  born  by  the 
way,  two  men  and  women  servants  ;  jNIahlon  Stace}-,  his  wife,  chil- 
dren and  several  servants,  men  and  women  ;  Thomas  Lambert,  his 
wife,  children  and  several  men  and  women  servants  ;  John  Lambert 
and  servant ;  Thomas  Revell,  his  wife,  children  and  servants  ;  God- 
frey Hancock,  his  wife,  children  and  servants  ;  Thomas  Potts,  his  wife 
and  children  ;  John  Wood  and  four  children  ;  Thomas  Wood,  his  wife 
and  children  ;  Robert  Murfin,  his  wife  and  two  children  ;  Robert 
Shooly,  his  wife  and  children  ;  James  Pharo,  his  -wnfe  and  children  ; 
Susannah  Fairnsworth,  her  children  and  two  servants  ;  Richard  T^t- 
tersal,  his  wife  and  children  ;  Godfrey  Newbold,  John  Dewsbury, 
Richard  Green,  Peter  Fretwell,  John  Newbold,  one  Barns  a  merchant 
from  Hull,  Francis  Barwick,  George  Parks,  George  Hill,  John  Heyres, 
and  several  more. 

The  late  Mr.  W.  J.  Potts  found  clues  that  led  him  to  be- 
lieve that  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  came  from  Chesterfield, 
Derbj'shire,  England,  and  while  staying  abroad  in  1882,  he 
visited  Chesterfield  and  made  a  personal  examination  of  the 
Parish  registers  with  very  gratifying  results.  The  head  of 
the  family  here  was  Richard  Pott,  who  was  a  Church- 


126  Thk  Potts  Family  ix  Amkrica. 

warden  in  1639  and  1640.      His  wife's  name  was  Annk,  and 
tlie  registers  show  baptisms  and  burials  as  given  below. 

1637.  Kli'/.abetli,  filia  Ricliardi  et  Anna;  Pott  de  Chesterfield,  baptz. 
Aprilis  v° 

1641.  Thomas,   filius  Richardo  Pott,  Sepultus  July  xij. 

1642.  Maria,   filia  Richaidi  at  Annie  Pott,  bapt.  March  xvij° 
1642.     Samuel,  filius  Richardi  et  Anne  Potts,  [sepultus?]  March  xij° 
1645.     Joshua,   filius  Rich.  Pott,   bapt,  May  xiij 

1647.  Thoma.s,   filq  Ricd.  et  Anne  Pott,  buptizat  July  xij° 

1649.  Anna,  filia  Ric'^  Pott  de  Chesterfield,  bapt.  June  xi° 

1653.  Jfjshua  y«  son  of  Richard  Pott,  buried  January  y«  xv  •' 

1675.  Anna,  filia  Thomi  Pott,  bapt.  Decemb""  v""' 

1676.  Anna,  filia  Thomo  Potts,  sepulta  06lober  xxvj. 

1677.  Thomio,  filius  Thomi  &  Joani  Pott,  bapt.  December  xxx. 

The  Chesterfield  registers  show  that  Richard  Pott  was 
buried  September  12,  1650,  and  Anne  Pott,  his  widow,  on 
September  2,  1673.  The  Chesterfield  registers  do  not  show 
the  marriage  of  either  Richard  Pott  or  of  his  son  Thomas 
Pott,  which  makes  it  probable  that  they  got  their  wives  in 
other  parishes.*  The  registers  were  only  casually  exam- 
ined before  1637.  The  following  diagram  exhibits  the  .state 
of  the  family.  Thomas,  son  of  Richard  Pott,  is  Thomas 
Potts,  (Shield). 

The  Potts  of  Chesterfield,  Derbyshire. 


Richard  Pott    A.vxe 


Bviried.  Sep.    I      Buried,  Sep. 
12,  1650.  2,  1673. 


1 

Elizabeth 

1 
Thomas 

1 
Samuel 

bap.  Apr. 

buried 

buried 

.s.  1637- 

July  12 

Mar.  12 

1641. 

1642. 

Ill  I 

Mana        Joshua        Thomas  =Joam        Anna 

bapt. 


Tosh 
bapt.  bapt.  bapt 

Mar.  17      May  13        Jn'y  '2 
1642  1645.  i6}7'. 

buried 

Jan.  15, 

1653- 


June  II 
1649. 


I  I 

Anna,  bapt.  Dec.  5,  1675.  Thomas,  baot.  Dec.  30,  1677. 

Buried  0(5l.  26,  1676. 


*  NoTK.     Beside  the  entries  given,  the,se  registers  contain  the  following;  addi 
tioiial  records. 
Cuthbertus  Pott  et  Johanes  Smith  uupt  [married]  June  iij,  i6j6. 
[Name  indistindl]  filia  Do(ftoris  Pott,  bapt.  0(5tober  vij  1674. 
Joliie,  filio  ffraind  Pott  dodtor,  bapt.  Marius  iiij,  1676., 
Johie,  filio  ffraind  Pott  do<5\oris,  et  sepult  Odlober  vj,  1676. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family. 


127 


THOMAS  POTTS, 1  was  the  fourth  and  only  surviving 
son  of  Richard  ^  and  Anne  Pott,  of  Chesterfield,  Derby- 
shire, En.i^land.  He  was  baptized  at  Chesterfield  July  12, 
1647.  When  about  thirtx'-one  years  of  age  he,  together  with 
his  family,  came  to  America,  in  the  good  ship  the  vShield, 
and  landed  at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  in  December,  167S. 
He  was  a  tanner  by  occupation,  and  e.stablished  himself  in 
that  business  at  Burlington,  where  he  continued  to  reside 
until  about  1699,  when  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  died  in  1726,  aged  79  years.  His  signature  was  very  pe- 
culiar, signing  his  name  either  "  tthomas  Potts,"  or  "  ttho. 
Potts,"  and  in  legal  documents  he  usuall)-  described  him- 
self as  "  tanner."  *  In  religious  persuasion  he  was  a  Bap- 
ti.st.  He  was  three  (possibly  four)  times  married,  and  died 
leaving  a  widow  and  an  only  son  Thomas. 

On  Dec.  23,  1680,  he  purchased  a  town  lot  as  appears  by 
the  following  abstracfl.  Liber  B,  Part  i,  folio  23,  at  Trenton. 


Thomas  Potts 
all  that  Lott  of 
Land  being  an 
Eighth  pte  of  a 
Lott  of  Land 
w'hin  Burling- 
ton called  The: 
Ollive  Town 
Lott  from  John 
Woolston 


One  deed  of  Conveyance  bearing  date  y^  Three  & 
Twentieth  day  of  december  in  the  yeare  1680  made 
by  John  Woolston  of  y''  one  pte  unto  Thomas  Potts 
of  y"^  other  pte  for  y*  Consid'acon  of  ffive  pounds  in  a 
Cowe  &  Calfe  y^  said  Thomas  Potts  to  y*^  said  John 
Woolston  paid.  Hee  y^  said  John  Woolston  hath 
sold  &c.  All  that  his  pcell  of  Land  being  one  eighth 
pte  of  a  Lott  of  Land  within  Burlington  aforesaid 
called  Thomas  Ollive  Town  Lott  abutting  north  on 
the  River  Dellaware  conteyning  by  estimacon  Two 
Acres  or  thereabouts  V)e  it  more  or  less  now  or  late 
in  ye  tenure  of  y«  said  John  Woolston  or  his  Assigns 
And  all  &  singular  ways  water  privileges  advanta- 
ges &  Appurtennts  to  y*  said  Lott  or  pcell  of 
Land  belonging  To  hold  to  him  ye  said  Tho:  Potts 
his  Heirs  &  Assigns  forever,  Sealed  &  Deliv'"ed 
with  endorsm'  of  Livery  &  before  Elizabeth 

Brewerton  &  Thomas  Revell 

Acknowledged  before  Robert  Stacy   Com'" 


*  Note.     Tanning  is  still   an  important  industry  at  Chesterfield,  Derbyshire, 
and  it  is  quite  common  to  see  on  tombstones  the  name  of  So  and  So,  "  tanner." 


I2S  The  Potts  Family  ix  America. 

Thomas  Potts  and  Ann  Potts  were  subscribing  witnesses 
to  several  early  marriages,  among  which  was  that  of  John 
Antrim,  on  the  15th  day  of  the  3d  month,  16.S2,  as  appears 
\)y  the  records  of  the  Friends  Meeting  at  Burlington. 

The  old  Court  records  of  Burlington  contain  this  entry  of 
the  marriage  of  Thomas  Biblj  and  Ruth  Kettle. ^= 

Thomas  Bibb    |  The  marriage  between  Thuinas  Bibb  i  Ruih  Kettle 

&  was  solenmized  the  Seaven  &  twenlith  day  of  July 

RrTH  Kktti.k  I  Anno  1693  at  ye  House  of  Tho:  Potts  in  Burlington 

j  (her  flFather  in  Law)  before  Edw  :  Hunloke  Depty 

I      Gov'^no'".  John  Tathain  &  Tho:  Revell  Justices:  And 
fiilv  27th,  1693  I       ,    r  .1  •< 

'     -      '      '      ^-^  J      beiore  many  olhtr  witnesses. 

The  term  fathcy-in-la7v  was,  at  that  date,  very  generally 
used  as  a  sj'uonym  for  step-father.  Thomas  Potts  could 
scarcel)'  have  had  a  married  son  deceased  at  that  time,  in- 
deed Ruth  Kettle  must  have  been  considerably  older  than 
any  of  Thomas  Potts'  own  children,  hence  the  only  legiti- 
mate concltision  is  that  Thomas  Potts  had  married  a  widow 
Kettle  who  had  at  lea.st  one  child  Ruth.  This  also  accounts 
for  the  use  of  the  term  ' '  children  ' '  in  the  passenger  li.st  of 
of  the  Shield. 

In  the  Chesterfield  Parish  registers  the  name  of  Thomas 
Potts'  wife  is  given  as  Joani,  but  after  coming  to  America 
she  is  always  called  Ann.  Perhaps  Ann  was  a  second  wife. 
This  would  explain,  and  in  a  great  measure  confirm,  the 
tradition  that  the  mother  of  the  infant  Thomas  died  at  .sea, 
as  well  as  the  Ruth  Kettle  relation.ship. 

Thomas  Potts  does  not  appear  to  have  been  identified 
with  any  religious  denomination  after  coming  to  America, 
until  1686,  when  both  he  and  his  wife  united  with  the  Bap- 
ti.sts,  and  were  baptized  at  Burlington,  West  Jersey,  by  EH- 


*  Note.  Thomas  and  Ruth  Bibl)  were  members  of  Peiiiiypack  Baptist  Churcli, 
where  the  birth  of  two  of  their  children  are  given,  viz.  Thomas  Bibb,  born  i  mo. 
17,  1695;  Mary  Bibb,  born  5  mo.  24.  169S.  Thomas  Bibb  was  a  Justice  of  the  I'eace 
in  1608. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  129 

as  Keach.  They  were  among  the  founders  of  the  first  Bap- 
t  St  Church  at  Burlington,  and  when  that  Church  ceased  to 
exist  in  1699,  they  joined  the  Pennypack  Church  in  Phila- 
delphia County,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  continued  in  mem- 
bership during  life.  Morgan  Edwards,  in  his  Materials, 
toward  a  History  of  the  Baptists  in  America,  in  a  foot-note 
on  page  113,  says. 

There  was  a  little  Baptist  Church  at  Burlington  planted  by  Mr. 
Keach  [Elias]  about  the  year  1690  ;  which  is  on^  of  the  tsvu  which  h  j 
is  said  to  have  gathered  in  this  country.  See  Crosby,  Vol.  4,  p.  309. 
The  names  of  the  members  were,  Thomas  Bibb,  Thomas  Potts  and 
Ann  his  wife,  Nathaniel  Douglass  and  Emblem  his  wife,  and  Edmund 
Wells,  Joseph  Wood,  Ann  Gill,  John  Jones,  Nathaniel  West  and  Eliz- 
abeth his  wife.     They  broke  up  and  joined  Penepek  061.  9,  1699. 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Burlington,  tanner,  was  one  of  the 
bondsmen,  of  Mary  Ingram,  as  administratrix  of  the  estate 
of  John  Ingram,  decea.sed,  in  1694.  This  bond  is  still  on  file 
and  bears  the  distincliive  signature — tthomas  Potts. 

On  March  14,  1699,  Thomas  Potts,  senior,  of  the  town 
and  county  of  Burlington,  (tanner),  atid  Anne  his  wife, 
conveyed  by  deed  to  Christopher  Wetherill,  of  the  same 
place,  (taylor),  a  "  lyOtt  of  land  situate  on  Lsland  of  Burling- 
ton containing  about  2  acres  being  8''  part  of  a  lot  of  land 
called  Thomas  Olive's  Lott  which  s''  Thomas  Potts  pur- 
chased of  John  WooLston  by  deed — Dec.  23''  A.  D.  1680," 
together  with  dwelling,  bark  mill,  tanyard,  &c.*  To  se- 
cure to  the  said  Christopher  Wetherill,  quiet  possession  of 
these  premises,  Thomas  Potts,  .senior,  of  the  town  and  coun- 
ty of  Burlington,  tanner,  and  Thomas  Potts,  junior,  of  the 
township  of  Springfield  in  said  county,  yeoman,  son  of  the 
said  Thomas  Potts,  senior,  executed  a  bond  dated  March 
14th,  in  the  i2tli  year  of  the  reign  of  William  Third,  Anno 
1699.  This  bond  is  signed  by  both  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  and 
Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  and  is  recorded  at  Trenton.     The  signa- 


*  See  Liber  B,   Part  2.  folio  67S,  Treuton.  New  Jersey,  Records. 
17 


130  Tkk  Potts  Family  in  America. 

tureof  Thomas  Potts.  Sr.,  is  here  given  as  copied  from  the 
original  by  tlie  late  James  H.  Carr,  Esq. 

h 


"^l/0-rr%<^ 


iirfys 


Thomas  Potts  removed  to  Philadelphia,  prol)abh'  in  the 
Spring  of  i6gg.  In  1700  he  was  a  subscribing  witness  to 
the  will  of  John  Holt,  of  Philadelphia,  butcher.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  Jar  simile  of  his  signature. 


■kc-T,^^    (Po/ff 


On  9th  mo.  9,  1 701,  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann 
Potts,  was  buried  in  the  Friends  gravej-ard  at  Philadelphia. 
This  second  daughter  Ann  was  probably  born  in  America. 

The  minutes  of  the  Common  Council  of  Philadelphia,  of 
February  2,  1702,  show  that  "  Thomas  Potts  is  admitted 
ffreeman  of  this  Cit}',  paying  for  his  ffreedome  twenty-two 
shillings  and  sixpence,  which  he  had  paid  for  his  ffree- 
dome." 

Thomas  Potts,  tanner,  was  one  of  the  executors  of  the 
will  of  Richard  Sparks,  of  Philadelphia,  but  late  of  Iviver- 
pool,  mariner,  made  September  9,  1711.  On  August  26, 
1 71 2,  he  was  a  subscribing  witness  to  the  will  of  James 
Kennison,  of  Philadelphia,  saddler,  as  shown  b}-  his  pecu- 
liar signature,  thus,  ^         ^ 

Pennypack  Baptist  Church  records  the  death  Ann  Potts 
in  1 7 14,  and  the  Friends  Monthly  Meeting  at  Third  and 
Arch  Streets,  Philadelphia  shows  that  Ann,  wife  of  Thomas 
Potts,  tanner,  was  buried  in  tlie  Friends  graveyard  on  7  mo. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  amd  Family.  131 

9,  1714.  He  did  not  long  remain  a  widower,  as  the  Penny- 
pack  Baptist  records  show  that  he  married  Grace  Farmer  in 
1 7 15.  vShe  had  been  baptized  at  Pennj-pack  in  1699,  by 
John  Watts.  She  did  not  long  survive  her  marriage,  as 
the  Friends  records  show  that  she  was  buried  in  the  Phila- 
delphia graveyard  on  6  mo.  15,  1 715.  In  17 16  he  married 
Alice  Pusser.  Slie  had  been  baptized  at  Peni.ypack  by 
Thomas  Griffith  in  1705.  The  baptism  and  marriage  are 
both  entered  upon  the  Pennypack  Church  records. 

Alary  Powell,  of  Philadelphia,  widow,  made  her  will  vSep- 
tember  13,  17 18.  Among  others  she  names  her  grandchil- 
dren— children  of  Judith  and  Abel  Morgan,*  and  appoints 
Abel  Morgan  as  her  executor.  She  mentions  Thomas  Potts, 
Sr. ,  and  his  son  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  tanners,  and  Thomas 
Bibb,  tanner.  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  tanner,  in  his  will,  in 
1725,  made  a  bequest  to  Judith  Morgan,  daughter  of  Thom- 
as Griffith,  and  late  wife  of  Abel  Alorgan. 

Thomas  Potts  died  at  Philadelphia  September  4,  1726, 
aged  79  years,  and  was  probabh-  buried  in  the  Friends 
graveyard.     The  Pennypack  Church  has  this  record 

Tliomas  potts  dyed  at  ditto  [Philadelphia]  Sept.  4,  1726. 

His  will  bears  date  of  February  25.  1724-5,  and  was  prov- 
en at  Philadelphia,  November  18,  1726.  It  is  recorded  in 
Will-Book  E,  page  8,  and  is  as  follows. 

The  Will  of  Thomas  Potts,  Tanner. 

Ill  the  name  of  God  Amen,  I,  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia in  the  Province  of  Pensylvania,  Tanner,  Being  aged  and  weak 
in  Body  but  of  sound  and  perfedl  Memory,  (praise  be  given  to  God  for 
the  same)  and  knowing  the  uncertaint}-  of  this  Life  on  earth,  and  be- 
ing desirous  to  settle  things  in  order.  Do  make  this  my  Last  will  and 
Testament  in  manner  and  form  following, — that  is  to  say, 

First  and  principally.    I  Commend  my  Soul  to  Almight}'  God  my 


*  Note.  Rev.  Abel  Morgan,  son  of  Rev.  Morgan  Rydderch,  and  pa.stor  at  Penny- 
pack  Baptist  Church,  was  three  times  married.  His'first  wife  was  Priscilla  Powell 
and  third  wife  Judith  Griffith.     See  Penn.  Mag.  of  Hist,  and  Biog.,   Vol.  VI,  p.  300. 


132  The  Potts  Family  in  Amkkica. 

Creator,  assuredly  Believing  that  1  shall  receive  full  pardon  and  free 
remission  of  all  my  sins  &  be  saved  by  the  precious  Death  and  Merits 
of  mv  Blessed  Savior  &  redeemer  Christ  Jesus,  And  my  Body  to  the 
Karlli  from  whence  it  was  taken  to  be  Burie<l  in  such  Decent  &  Chris- 
tian Manner  as  my  executor  hereafter  named  shall  be  thought  Meet  & 
Convenient.  And  as  touching  such  worldly  Estate  as  the  L<;)rd  in  his 
Mercy  hatli  Lent  me,  my  will  &  meaning  is,  the  same  shall  be  Em- 
ployed &  Bestowed  as  hereafter  by  this  my  will  is  Exprest 

First  I  will  that  all  my  Just  Debts  &  funeral  Charges  be  fully  paid 
and  discharged. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Dear  and  well  beloved  wife  Al- 
ice the  simi  of  forty  shillings  Current  money  of  Pensylvania  afores"*  to 
be  paid  in  one  month  next  after  my  Decease  And  I  also  Give  and  Be- 
queath unto  my  said  Wife  the  sum  of  Twelve  pounds  Money  afore s"* 
Yearlv  Income  to  be  paid  unto  her  by  even  and  Equal  Quarterly  pay- 
ments every  Year  During  her  Natural  Life,  I  do  Likewise  give  her 
my  best  feather  Bead  with  all  its  appurtenances  and  the  furniture  of 
one  Room  or  Chamber,  all  which  s"*  Legacies  &  Bequeaths  I  do  give 
to  my  said  wife  in  Lieu  for  a  full  recompense  &  Satisfa<5lion  of  her 
Dower  &  Title  of  Dower  or  thirds  of  all  my  Estate  both  real  &  personal 

Item  I  give  and  Bequeathe  unto  my  grandson  Thomas  Potts,  all 
that  my  Land  &  Lott  of  Groimd  L5'ing  In  Gilberts  Alley  formerly  be- 
longing to  Arthur  Wells  Containing  In  front  to  the  8*^  Alley  fifteen 
foott,  Together  with  Buildings  tennements  heredittements  and  appur- 
tenances whatsoever  thereon  standing  being  belonging  or  in  any  wise 
appertaining  To  hold  to  him  and  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever  also 
I  give  to  my  s'^  Grandson  my  Coate  plate  buttons  &  a  small  silver 
Breaker 

Item  I  Give  to  each  of  the  other  Children  of  my  son  Thomas  Potts 
the  Just  sum  of  five  pounds  a  piece  Money  afores'*  to  be  paid  to  each 
of  them  when  they  attain  their  respective  age  of  eighteen  Years  or 
marry  which  shall  first  happen 

Item  I  Give  &  Bequeath  unto  my  Good  Friend  Thomas  Griffith 
Minister  of  the  Gospel  amongs  the  Baptist  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Shil- 
lings money  afores"^  to  Be  paid  to  him  in  Six  Months  next  after  my 
Decease 

Item  I  give  to  Judith  Morgan  Daughter  of  Thomas  Griffith  &  Late 
wife  of  Abel  Morgan  the  Just  Sum  of  twenty  Shillings  of  Like  Money 
to  be  paid  to  her  also  within  Six  Months  after  my  Decease. 

And  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  Estate  Messauges  Land  &  Prem- 
ises with  the  appurtenances  Both  real  &  Personal  whatsoever  &  where- 
soever the  Same  may  &  shall  be  found  and  of  what  kind  Nature  or 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  133 

Species  the  Same  may  be  I  Give  and  Bequeath  the  Same  to  niy  Son 
Thomas  Potts  to  Hold  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  And  I  do 
hereby  nominate  and  appoint  my  son  Thomas  Potts  Sole  Executor  of 
this  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  Hereby  Revoking  Disallowing  & 
making  void  all  fonner  and  other  will  or  wills  by  me  heretofore  made 
and  Declared,  Either  by  word  or  wrighting.  Declaring  this  to  be  My 
Last  will  &  Testament 

In  Witness  whereof  I  have  herunto  set  my  hand  and  Seal  this  twen- 
ty fifth  day  of  February  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Seven 
liundred  and  Twenty  four-five — 1724-5. 


cr-^^o  ^o/^t,,3 


Sealed  Signed  Published  and  Declared  to  be  his  last  will  and  Testa- 
ment in  the  Sight  and  presence  of  us 

Andrew  Edge     George  Sharsvi^ood    Ai.exander  Legg. 

Philad"  Nov""  i8'*'  1726.  Then  personally  appear'^  Andrew  Edge 
George  Sharswood  two  of  the  witnesses  to  the  foregoing  will  and  upon 
their  Oaths  did  Declare  the  same  to  be  his  last  will  and  Testament 
and  that  at  the  doing  thereof  he  was  of  sound  mind  memory  and  un- 
derstanding to  the  best  of  their  knowledge 

Coram     Pet.  Evans,  Reg.  Gen' 

Be  it  reniem1)ered  that  on  the  i8th  day  of  Nov'  1726,  the  Last  Will 
and  Testament  of  Thomas  Potts,  deceased,  was  proved  in  due  form  of 
Law  and  Probate  and  Letters  Testamentary  were  Granted  unto  Thom- 
as Potts  sole  Executor  therein  named  being  first  sworn  well  and  truly 
to  administer  the  said  dece'*'  Estate  and  bring  an  Inventory  thereof 
into  the  Register  General's  Office  at  Philadelphia  at  or  before  the  i8th 
day  of  Dec""  next  And  also  to  render  an  acc't  when  thereunto  Lawful- 
ly required.     Given  under  the  Seal  of  the  s''  Office 

^     Pet.  Evans.  Reg.  Gen' 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Joani  ( )  Potts. 

2  Anna  Potts,  bap.  Dec.  5,  1675;  bur.  Ocl.  26,  1676. 

3  Thomas  Potts,  bap,  Dec.  30,  1677;  d.  Feb.  2,  1754;  m.  ist,  Mary 

Records;    2d,   Mary  Borden,  (?);   3d,  Rebecca  Wright,  nee 
Stacey. 

Child  of  Thomas  and  Anne  ( )  Potts. 

4  Anne  Potts,  b.  ;  bur.  9  mo.  [Nov.]  9,  1701. 


134  TiTK  Potts  Family  in  America. 

3  Thomas  Potts, ^  Junior,  (Thomas/  Richard/),  was 
baptized  at  Chesterfield.  Derbyshire,  England,  Dec'r  30, 
1677,  and  the  next  year  was  brought  to  America  with  his 
parents.  In  1699  he  is  mentioned  as  of  Springfield  Town- 
ship, Burlington  County,  but  afterwards  of  Mansfield  where 
he  owned  land  by  purchase  as  well  as  by  gift  from  his  fath- 
er-in-law. How  long  he  continued  in  Mansfield  is  not  ap- 
parent. In  1 74 1  to  1744,  he  was  living  in  vSouthampton 
Township,  Bucks  Count3^  Pennsylvania,  but  in  1745  he  had 
returned  to  Burlington  County.  He  seems  to  have  been 
three  times  married,  and  died  in  Burlington  County,  Feb. 
2,  1754.  He  is  usuall}'  spoken  of  as  "  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.," 
but  for  the  purpo.se  of  distinction,  he  will  be  referred  to  in 
this  work,  when  necessary,  as  "'Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Mans- 
field;)." 

In  1697  Thomas  Potts,  Junr. ,  bought  land  in  Mansfield 
Township,  as  appears  from  the  following  abstract  taken 
from  Liber  B,  Part  2,  folio  613,  Trenton  records. 


Thomas  Potts,  jun'" 
144  Acres  (except  8 
acres  before  granted  to 
Edw:  Boulton) 
from 


dale  March  5,  1697 

Between  George  Porter  of  y-'  Connly  of  Bur- 
lington in  the  Province  of  West  Jersey,  yeo- 
and  [man, 

Thomas  Potts  junr  of  ye  County  of  Burling- 
George  Porter.  ton  yeoman 

Consideration  ^60  144  Acres  being  part  of 
that  150  acres  purchased  by  the  said  Geo  Porter  of  ffrancis  Austin  by 
Deed  of  Conveyance  dated  Jany  2  1697  Situated  on  y*  next  creek  north 
from  John  Woolstons  &  lying  between  ye  lands  of  sd  John  Woolston 
&  Thomas  Revell  within  ye  Township  of  Mansfield  in  ye  county  of 
Burlington  (except  &  reserved  forth  by  ye  sd  144  acres  8  acres  thereof 
heretofore  by  ye  sd  George  Porter  unto  Edward  Boulton  granted,  sold 
&c  Sealed  &  delivered  in  y^  p'sence  of  William  Pancoast  James.  An- 
tram  by  his  mark  J  J  Tho:  Revell  of  ye  Gov''no'"s  Council 

He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Records,  of 
Mansfield  Township,  Burlington  County,  on  June  20,  1698, 
and  the  following  record  thereof  is  found  in  the  old  Burling- 
ton Book  of  Court  Records. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  135 

'i'HOS.  Potts  &     ]    Thomas  Potts  &  Mary  Records  solemnized  their 

I  marriage  at  ye  House  of  The:  Potts  (ffather  of  s'' 

:\L\KV  Records    [  ^j^^^  ^  ■  ^^  Burhngton  y^  Twentieth  day  of  June  1698 

r)efore   Tho:  Revell,   Anthony  Elton  &  Tho:  Bibb 

Justices  &  before  many  -witnesses. 


June  20'''  1698 


There  is  a  tradition  in  the  family  that  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.'s 
parents  having  died  at  sea,  the  young  Thomas  was  brought 
up  by  Nathaniel  Records  and  when  he  grew  to  manliood  he 
married  Nathaniel's  daughter.  It  is  probable  that  his 
mother  died,  leaving  him  an  infant;  but  his  father  lived  to 
old  age.  It  is  at  least  quite  evident  that  Nathaniel  Records 
thought  well  of  his  young  son-in-law,  because  on  March  S, 
1702,  he  executed  a  deed  wherein 

Nathaniel  Records,  of  the  Townshippe  of  Mansfield,  in  the  County 
of  Burlington  within  the  Province  of  West  Jersey,  Yeoman,  of  the  first 
part.  And  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  same  place.  Husbandman,  of  the  oth- 
er part,  WITNESSETH  that  the  said  Nathaniel  Records  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  a  marriage  allready  had  and  Solemnized  between  the  said 
Thomas  Potts  and  Mary,  the  Daughter  of  the  said  Nathaniel,  and  as 
a  marriage  portion  with  her  the  said  Mary,  for  their  better  support 
and  supply  and  for  the  natural  love  and  aff  adlion  which  hee  the  said 
Nathaniel  hath  and  beareth  to  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  his  sonne  in 
law,  and  to  the  said  Mary,  his  Daughter,  Hath  Given,  Granted,,  etc., 
■■■"        *        *        -X-     unto  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  his  Heirs,  etc. 

This  deed  conveyed  two  tradls  of  land  in  Mansfield  Town- 
ship, one  of  fifty  acres,  purchased  of  George  Porter  May  24, 
1686,  and  one  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres,  purchased 
of  the  .said  George  Porter  December  5,  1696.  B5'  this  deed 
the  grantor  reserved  a  one  half  interest  during  his  life  time.* 
Nathaniel  Records  died  inte.state  and  Letters  of  Adniini-stra- 
tion  were  issued  to  Thomas  Potts,  March  4,  1705-6. 

The  records  in  the  Surveyor  General's  Office  show  a  sur- 
vey, in  1722,  of  125  acres  in  Mansfield  Township,  belong- 
ing to  Thomas  Potts. 


*  Note.     The  original  deed  written  on  parchment  is  in  possession  of  a  descend- 
ant at  Beaver  Falls.  Penna. 


136  Thk  Potts  Family  in"  Amkkica. 

In  Swank's  Histojy  of  Iro7i  in  All  Ages,  2d  edition,  1892, 
is  the  following  communication  from  Hon.  Austin  N.  Hun- 
gerford,* 

In  1722  the  eredlion  of  a  blooniery  forge  was  undertaken  by  Isaac 
Horner,  Daniel  Farnsworth  and  Joseph  Borden,  on  the  west  side  of 
Black's  Creek,  which  rises  near  Georgetown,  in  Burlington  County, 
and  runs  a  northwesterly  course  between  Mansfield  and  Chesterfield 
Townships,  and  empties  into  the  Delaware  at  Bordentown.  On  Feb- 
ruary I,  1725,  the  jjartly  erecled  forge  with  the  property  connedled 
with  it  was  conveyed  by  the  three  proprietors  to  Thomas  Potts,  a  son- 
in-law  of  Joseph  Borden.  On  the  same  day  he  conveyed  one  undivid- 
ed half  of  the  property  to  Daniel  Coxe,  (of  whom  mention  is  made 
that  he  had  been  interested  in  the  manufacture  of  iron  for  several 
years),  and  one  fourth  to  John  Allen,  Potts  retaining  one  fourth  in- 
terest for  himself.  The  forge  was  completed  in  the  summer  of  1725, 
and  was  probably  operated  for  a  few  years,  but  no  account  of  it  has 
been  obtained.  The  property  afterwards  passed  into  the  hands  of  a 
Mr.  Lewis  of  Philadelphia.  Thomas  Potts  had  emigrated  in  the 
Shield,  which  brought  so  many  enugrants  to  West  Jerse}-. 

Joseph  Borden  furnished  the  capital  for  his  son-in-law. 
Referring  to  the  same  property,  the  Pe?msylva7iia  Gazette  of 
December  20,  1739,  contains  the  following  advertisement. 

To  Be  Sold.  Three  fourth  parts  of  an  Iron  Work  and  Grist  Mill, 
.scituate  within  half  a  Mile  of  Burdens-Town,  in  the  County  of  Bur- 
lington, lying  about  the  Distance  of  a  small  mile  up  a  Navigable 
Creek  which  empties  into  the  Delaware  River  close  by  Burdens-town; 
whereby  the  Water  Carriage  up  and  down  that  River  is  rendered  very 
commodious  :  Together  with  three  fourths  of  17  acres  of  Land  and  ;, 
Acres  of  Meadow  purchased  for  Iron  Oar.  Also  a  Coal  House  and 
many  other  Necessaries  for  carrying  on  the  said  Work,  the'  now  some- 
what out  of  Repair.  Anj'  person  inclined  to  purchase  the  same, 
may  apply  to  Samuel  Bustill  of  Burlington  and  John  Cox  of  Trenton, 
Attorneys  at  Law,  two  of  the  Executors  of  Daniel  Cox,  Esq:  de- 
ceased, who  are  empowered  to  sell  the  satne,  where  they  may  be  in- 
fomi'd  of  the  Conditions  of  sale. 

N.  B.  Mr.  Thomas  Potts,  who  owns  the  other  Quarter  Part  of  the 
Premises,  will  be  inclined  to  sell  with  the  said  Executors  on  reason- 
able Terms. 


*  Note.     Mr.  A.  N.  Hmigerfonl  iiiforni.s  the  compiler  Iiereof  that  the  deeds  are 
recorded  in  the  Burlington  books. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  137 

Two  questions  arise,  one  as  to  the  identity  of  Joseph  Bor- 
den, and  the  other  as  to  the  identity  of  Thomas  Potts,  men- 
tioned in  the  foregoing  transactions.  There  were  at  the 
time  not  only  several  Thomas  Potts',  but  also  several  Jo- 
seph Bordens.  Those  who  have  written  upon  the  subject. 
seem  to  have  assumed  that  this  Joseph  Borden  was  he  who 
subseqitently  became  the  founder  of  Bordentown.  To  say 
the  least  this  seems  very  improbable. 

Jo.seph  Borden,  the  founder  of  Bordentown,  and  son  of 
Benjamin  Borden,  was  born  May  12,  1687,  which  would  make 
him,  at  the  signing  of  the  deed,  not  yet  38  years  of  age.  It 
.seems  unlikely  that  he  had  a  married  daughter  at  that  date. 
His  biographers  place  the  time  of  his  marriage  at  about  the 
year  17 16,*  and  his  children  are  all  accounted  for  and  no 
daughter  married  a  Thomas  Potts,  but  two  of  them  did  mar- 
ry sons  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Mansfield),  subsequently. 
Again,  there  is  no  evidence  that  Joseph  Borden,  (the  found- 
er), had  a  step-son  Thomas  Potts  who  might  have  been  des- 
ignated as  sott-in-law,  or  that  he  had  a  step-daughter  who 
may  have  married  a  Thomas  Potts.  It  is  also  alleged  that 
the  fir.st  purchase  of  land  by  Joseph  Borden,  (the  founder  j, 
at  Farnsworths  Landing, f  was  not  made  until  1724.  It  is 
therefore  assumed  that  the  Joseph  Borden  of  the  foregoing 
deed  was  not  Joseph  Borden,  (the  founder). 

There  were,  at  the  date  of  making  the  deed,  six  Thomas 
Potts' ,  in  West  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania  of  marriageable 
age,  if  we  include  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.  (Mans- 
field), then  just  past  18  years  of  age.  All  these  are  fairly 
well  accounted  for,  and  the  only  one  who  may  have  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  a  Joseph  Borden  before  1725,  seems 
to  be  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,   (Mansfield).     On  account  of  the 


*  Note.  As  Joseph  Borden  had  seven  children  and  the  youngest  was  born  in 
1723.  he  must  have  married  at  an  earlier  date. 

t  Note.  Thomas  Farnsworth,  of  England,  landed  at  Burlington  in  1677,  located 
on  the  site  of  Bordentown,  became  the  owner  of  548  acres  of  land,  and  established 
a  ferry  there  known  as  Farnsworths  Landing. 

i3 


138  TiTK  Potts  Family  in  America. 

j^reat  disparity  of  the  a.^es  of  his  elder  and  youn<<er  children, 
it  seems  probable  that  they  were  by  different  wives.  Fur- 
thermore, Mary,  the  wife  of  this  Thomas  Potts,  died  April 
2,  1 741,  a.s^ed  56  years,  8  months,  26  days.  This  shows  that 
.she  was  born  al)out  September  5,  1684.  If  this  Mary  Potts 
was  Mary  Records,  then  she  was  less  than  14  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage  in  1698,  which  is  extremely  im- 
probable. Therefore,  while  not  positivly  proven,  it  is  rea- 
.sonably  certain  that  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Man.sfield),  mar- 
ried for  his  second  wife  Mary  daughter  of  Joseph  Borden. 

^^ Thomas  Potts  was  the  executor  of  his  father's  will,  and 
^will  he  became  po.sses.sed  of  a  lot  of  groiuid  on  Chestnut 
Street,  Philadelphia  which  he  sold  in  1728,  as  appears  from 
the  following  deed  recorded  in  Deed-Book  H,  page  7.S. 

Deed  of  Thomas  Potts  to  George  House. 

This  Indenture  made  the  loth  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Twenty  Eight,  Between  Thomas 
Potts,  only  son  and  heir  at  law  of  Thomas  Potts,  late  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  Tanner,  deceased,  of 
the  one  Part,  and  George  Hou.se,  of  the  .said  City,  Cordwainer,  of  the 
other  part  Witnesseth,  that  the  .said  Thomas  Potts,  the  .son,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  Twenty-five  Pounds  lawful  money  of  Penn- 
sylvania, to  him  paid  by  the  said  George  House,  hath  granted,  bar- 
gained, .sold,  enfeoffed  and  confirmed  and  by  these  presents  doth  grant, 
bargain,  sell,  enfeoff  and  confirm  unto  the  said  George  House,  and  to 
his  heirs  and  assigns  a  Certain  Lot  or  Piece  of  Ground  situate  in  the 
said  Cit}-,  of  Thirteen  foot  Six  inches  breadth  and  length  Fifty-one 
foot,  bounded  northward  with  Chestnut  Street,  ea.stward  with  Caleb 
Ca.sh's  house  and  ground,  south wani  with  a  Lot  of  the  late  Henry 
Tregany  now  Thomas  Peters,  and  westward  with  a  Lot  late  of  William 
Budd,  now  also  of  the  said  Thomas  Peters  which  piece  of  Ground  was 
fonnerly  granted  by  Caleb  Cash  of  said  City  last-maker,  unto  William 
Carter  of  the  .same  place  Block-maker,  in  Fee  by  Deed  dated  the  thir- 
tieth of  September  One  Th<nisand  Seven  Hundred  and  on 
Record  at  Philadelphia,  aforesaid,  Book  B,  Vol.  3,  page  276,  Wlio 
granted  unto  Daniel  Gaunt  t)f  the  said  City,  Cordwainer  in  fee  by  In- 
denture on  the  First  day  of  Ocflober,    One  Thou-sand  seven  Hundred 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shisld),  and  Family.  139 

and  on  Record  at  Philadelphia,  Book  E3,  Vol.  6,  page  19, 

Paying  unto  the  said  William  Carter,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  the 
yearly  Rent  of  Two  Pounds  Four  Shillings  and  Nine  Pence  Half-Pen- 
ny, at  two  Days  of  payment  in  the  year,  Viz.  the  Twenty-five  of 
March  and  Twenty-ninth  of  September  by  equal  Portions,  the  first 
Payment  at  the  Twenty-flfth  day  of  March  ne.-ct  ensueing  the  date 
*****  of  the  .same  indenture,  And  the  said  Daniel 
Gaunt  granted  the  same  piece  of  Ground  unto  the  said  Thomas  Potts 
in  Fee  by  Indenture  of  the  Second  of  Odlober  One  thou.sand  Seven 
Hundred  and  on  record  at  Philadelphia  aforesaid,  Book 

E5,  Vol.  7,  Page  122,  under  the  rent  aforesaid,  as  by  the  .same  Deed 
and  Indentures  Relation  thereunto  had  appears,  Together  with  the 
Walls,  Bricks,  Timber,  and  Stuff  on  the  same  Lot  being  or  thereto  be- 
longing Which  remain  unconsumed  by  a  conflagration  that  lately 
happened  unto  a  messuage  thereon  lately  being  Together  also  with 
all  and  singular  the  Cellar  Walls,  Ways,  Walls,  Waters,  Watercourses, 
Kasements,  Rights,  Liberties,  Privileges,  Hereditaments,  and  Appur- 
tenances unto  the  same  piece  of  Ground  hereby  Granted  belonging 
and  the  Reversions  and  Remainders  thereof. 

To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  piece  of  Ground  and  Premises  hereby 
granted  or  mentioned  to  be  granted  with  the  appurtenances  unto  the 
said  Geroge  House  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  under  the  yearly 
Quit-Rent  hereafter  accrueing  for  the  same  to  the  Chief  Lord  of  the 
Fee  thereof  and  subjecft  to  the  said  Yearly  Rent  of  Two  Pounds  Four 
Shillings  Nine  Pence  Half-Penny  herein  before  recited  as  the  same 
shall  hereafter  grow  due,  and  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  the  Son,  and  his 
heirs,  the  said  piece  of  Ground  and  Premises  hereby  Granted  or  men- 
tioned to  be  granted  with  the  appurtenances  unto  the  said  George 
House,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  against  him  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  par- 
ty hereto  and  his  Heirs  and  against  all  and  every  other  person  what- 
soever lawfully  claiming  or  to  claim  by,  from  or  under  him,  them  or 
any  of  them,  or  by,  from  or  under  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  the  father, 
shall  and  will  under  the  several  rents  aforesaid,  Warrant  and  forever 
defend  by  these  presents,  and  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  party  hereto  for 
him.self,  his  Heirs,  Executors,  and  Administrators,  doth  covenant, 
promise  and  grant  to  and  with  the  said  George  House,  his  Heirs  and 
Assigns  by  these  presents,  That  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  Party  hereto, 
and  his  heirs  and  all  and  every  other  Person  or  Persons  ha\-ing  claimed 
or  to  claim  any  Estate,  Right,  Title  or  Interest  of,  in  or  to  the  Prem- 
ises or  any  part  or  parcel  thereof  by,  from  or  under  him,  them  or  any 
of  them  or  by,  from  or  under  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  the  father,  shall 
and  will  at  the  request,  cost  and  charges  in  Law  of  the  said  George 


I40  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

House  his  heirs  and  assigns  make,  execute  and  acknowledge  or 
cause  so  to  be,  all  and  every  such  further  and  other  reasonable  adl  and 
acts,  Deed  or  Deeds,  Device  or  Devices  in  Law  whatsoever  for  the  fur- 
ther and  better  assurance  and  confirmation'  of  the  said  Lot  or  Piece  of 
(iround,  Hereditaments  and  Premises  hereby  granted  or  mentioned  to 
be  granted  with  the  appurtenances  under  the  said  several  Rents,  Unto 
the  said  George  House  his  heirs  and  assigns  as  by  him  or  them  or  by 
his  or  their  Counsel  learned  in  the  Law  shall  be  reasonal>ly  devised, 
advised  or  requiri;d. 

In  Witness  whereof  the  said  Parties  to  these  Presents  have  inter- 
changeably set  their  hands  and  seals  hereunto.  Dated  the  daj-  and 
year  first  above  written.  Thomas  Pott.s.     (Seal] 

Sealed  and  Delivered  in  the  presence  of  us, 
Thomas  Te.st.     Joseph  Brientnall. 

[Indorsed].  Received  the  Day  of  the  Date  of  the  within  written 
Indenture  of  the  within  named  George  House  the  sum  of  Twenty-five 
Pounds,  It  being  the  consideration  money  mentioned  and  Received. 

Witnesses  Present  at  signing  "p^  me  Thc  Potts. 

Thomas  Test.     Joseph  Brientnall. 

In  1 741  Thomas  Pott.s  is  found  in  Southampton  Town- 
ship, Bucks  County,  Penn.sylvania.  His  wife  died  April  2, 
1741,  and  was  buried  in  the  Southampton  Baptist  grave- 
yard.    Her  tombstone  bears  the  following  inscription. 

In  Memory  of 
Mary  late  wife  of  Thomas  Potts, 

Deceased  April  2d,  1741, 
Aged  56  years  8  months  26  days. 

On  September  24,  1741,  Thomas  Potts,  yeoman,  of  South- 
ampton Township,  Bticks  County,  purcha.sed  5  acres  and  60 
perches,  in  the  Manor  of  Moreland,  from  I.saac  Walton  and 
Sarah  his  wife,  of  Byberrv.  * 

Like  his  father,  he,  mindful  of  the  Biblical  injuu<flion 
that  It  is  not  good  that  man  should  be  alone,  again  married 
about  March,  1742,  as  his  third(?)  wife,  Rebecca,  widow  of 


*  See  Deetl-Kook  I,  page  398,  at  Philadelphia. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  141 

Joshua  Wright,  and  daughter  of  Mahlon  and  Rebecca  Sta- 
cy.* The  following  is  the  record  of  tlie  liceUvSe  as  it  appears 
in  the  License  Book  in  the  ofEce  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
at  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 

License  of  Marriage  on  the  Eighth  Da}'  of  March  A  D  1742  was 
iiranted  by  his  Kxcellency  Lewis  Morris  Esqr.  Governor  &c.  unto 
Thomas  Potts  of  Southampton  in  the  County  of  Bucks  in  the  province 
of  pennyslv*  Gent,  of  the  one  party  &  Rel^ecca  Wright  of  New  Han- 
over in  the  County  of  Bur'"  Widow  of  the  other  part}'. 

Arch^  Home  Secry. 

Rebecca  Stacy,  the  seventh  child  of  Mahlon  and  Rebec- 
ca, was  born  June  8,  1684,  and  married  Joshua  Wright, 
June  7,  1705,  and  had  children,  Joshua,  Mahlon,  Nathan, 
David,  Elizabeth,  and  Rebecca. 

On  February  3,  1743,  Thomas  Potts,  of  Southampton 
Township  in  the  County  of  Bucks,  conveyed  unto  his  son 
Joshua  Potts,  of  the  Manor  of  Moreland,  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, j^eoman,  a  messuage  and  lot  of  land  in  Hatborough, 
in  the  Manor  of  Moreland,  on  the  York  Road. 

Mahlon  Stacy,  Jr.,  of  Burlington  County,  New  Jersey, 
siezed  of  lands,  died  intestate,  leaving  as  heirs  his  sisters, 
Mary  Pownell,  Ruth  Atkin.son,  and  Rebecca  Potts,  and  the 
children  of  his  deceased  sisters,  Amos  Janney  and  Mahlon 
Kirkbride.  On  March  5,  1742,  and  just  prior  to  her  mar- 
riage with  Thomas  Potts,  Rebecca  Wright  conveyed  a  share 
of  her  inheritance,  as  an  heir  to  the  estate  of  her  brother 


*  The  Stacy  Family.  Mahlon  Stacy  and  family,  of  Handworth,  Yorkshire, 
England,  came  passengers  in  the  Shield,  and  settled  in  Burlington  County,  New 
Jersey.  His  wife's  name  was  Rebecca.  He  died  2  mo.  5,  1704.  Their  children 
were 

1  John  Stacy,  b.  g  mo.  30,  1671. 

2  Elizabeth  Stacy,  b.  S  mo.  17,  1673;  m.  Abel  Janney,  i  mo.  7,  1699-1700. 

3  Sarah  .Stacy,  b.  7  mo.  4,  1675;  m.  Joseph  Kirkbride,   10  rao.  3,  1702. 

4  Mary  Stacy,  b.  4  mo,  12,  1677;  m.  Reuben  Pownell,  i  mo.  7,  1699-1700. 

5  Ruth  Stacj',  b.  r  mo.  30,  16S0;   m.   ist,  William  Beakes,   3  mo.  3,  1705;   m.  2nd, 

Samuel  Atkinson,  7  mo.  12,  1714. 

6  Rebecca  Stacy,  b.  7  mo.  30,  1682;  d.  y. 

7  Rebecca  Stacy,  b.  4  mo.  8,  1684;  m.  ist,  Joshua  Wright,  4  mo.  7,  1705;  md.  2nd, 

Thomas  Potts,  March  8,  1742. 

8  Mahlon  Stacy,  b.  2  mo.  7,  1686;  tn.  Sarah  Bainbridge,  3  rao.  i,  1712. 


142  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Mahlon  Stacy,  deceased,  to  her  six  children.  In  the  divi- 
sion of  the  estate  certain  parts  fell  to  heirs  who  convey  to 
others,  as  shown  by  the  abstradls  of  deeds  given  below. 

Sept.  19,  1744.  Samuel  Atkinson,  of  Burlinj^ton  County,  yeoman, 
and  Ruth  his  wife;  Amos  Janney,  of  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  yeoman; 
Mahlon  Kirkbride,  Esq.,  of  Bucks  County,  Pa.;  and  Thomas  .Atkinson, 
of  Burlington  County,  yeoman;  convey  to  Thomas  Potts,  Ksq.,  of 
Bucks  County,  and  Rebecca  his  wife;  Joshua  Wright,  Mahlon  \Vri<rht, 
Nathan  Wright,  David  Wright,  John  Terry  and  Rebecca  his  wife,  and 
Isaac  Knight,  Jr.,  of  Philadelphia  County,  yeoman,  and  Elizabeth  his 
wife.  Mary  Pownell  had  Vjefore  conveyed  her  interest  to  Thomas  .At- 
kinson.    [See  Liber  G  H,  page  281,  West  Jersey  Deeds.] 

Sept.  19,  1744.  Thomas  Potts  and  Rebecca  his  wife,  and  Mahlon 
Kirkbride,  of  Bucks  County;  Samuel  Atkinson  and  wife  Ruth,  Thom- 
as Atkinson,  yeoman,  Joshua  Wright,  Mahlon  Wright,  Nathan  Wright, 
Da\-id  Wright,  John  Terry  and  wife  Rebecca,  Isaac  Knight  and  wife 
Elizabeth,  to  Amos  Janney  of  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  certain  properly 
in  Hunterdon  County,  N.  J.     [See  Liber  G  H,  page  400.] 

Sept.  19,  1744.  Thomas  Potts,  et  al.,  to  Mahlon  Kirkbride.  [See 
G  H,  page  403.] 

Sept.  19,  1744.  Thomas  Potts,  et  al.,  to  Thomas  Atkinson,  of  Bur- 
lington County,  part  of  the  estate  of  Mahlon  Stacj-, — 416  acres  and  al- 
lowance; another  tra<5l  of  400  acres;  and  51}^  acres,  part  of  370  acres 
near  Trenton.     [See  Liber  G  H,  page  406.] 

Dec.  12,  1745.  Thomas  Potts,  and  Rebecca  his  wife,  of  Burlitigton 
County,  et  al.,  lawful  successors  to  the  estate  of  Mahlon  Stacy,  late  of 
Burlington  County,  constitute  Sanmel  Atkinson  and  Joshua  Wright, 
attorneys  to  sell  lands  in  Northampton  Township,  and  one  third  of 
iron  works  and  furnace  on  Neshaminy.     [See  G  H,  page  380.] 

April  17,  1747.  Thomas  Potts  and  Rebecca  his  wife,  of  New  Jersey, 
et  al.,  to  John  Abraham  De  Normandie  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  mer- 
chant, for  jCyJO,  one  third  part  of  345  acres  with  furnace,  forges,  &c., 
in  Northampton  Township,  Burlington  County,  late  the  estate  of 
Mahlon  Stacy.     [See  Liber  H,  page  115.] 

Odl.  17,  1750.  Thomas  Potts,  Esq.,  and  Rebekah  his  wife,  of  Bur- 
lington County,  et  al.,  to  John  Monrow,  of  Northampton  Township, 
yeoman,  for  ;^4o,  some  meadow  ground,  late  of  Mahlon  Stacy,  in 
Northampton.     [See  Liber  L,  page  56.] 


O    i* 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  amd  Family.  143 

In  a  deed  dated  January  i,  1754,  made  by  Thomas  Potts 
and  Rebecca  his  wife,  of  Mansfield  Township,  Burlington 
County,  he  mentions  the  natural  love  and  affection  he  bears 
to  his  son  William  Potts,  yeoman.  On  the  same  day  he 
conveyed  land  in  Mansfield  Township,  which  he  had  bought 
in  1724,  to  Nathaniel  Potts  of  the  same  place,  for  ^200. 

Thomas  Potts,  like  his  father,  was  a  Baptist.  The  Pen- 
nypack  Baptist  Church  records  show  that  both  he  and  Mary 
his  wife  were  baptized  at  Cold  Spring  June  29,  1707,  by 
Evan  Morgan.  He  was  one  of  the  orginal  members  at  the 
organization  of  the  Bapti.st  Church  at  Southampton,*  Bucks 
Count}',  Pennsylvania,  in  1746,  when  his  son  Joshua  Potts 
became  its  first  stated  pastor. 

He  died  February  2,  1754,  and  was  buried  in  the  Baptist 
graveyard  at  Bordentown,  Burlington  County.  The  follow- 
ing record  thereof  is  copied  from  the  Southampton  Baptist 
Church  books. 

1754.  Thomas  Potts,  Died  at  his  House  in  West  Jersey  the  2'"^  Day 
of  Februarj',  and  was  Buried  at  Burdentown  the  4*-^  of  the  same 
Month  aged  76  years  and  one  month. 

His  tombstone  still  remains  in  the  old  Baptist  graveyard  at 
Bordentown  and  bears  the  insciption  as  given  below.  [See 
illustration.] 

Here  Lyeth  the  Body  of 

Thomas  Potts  who 

Departed  this  Life  February 

the  2^  1754.     Aged  76  Years 

and  one  Month. 

His  will,  made  the  "  Thirtyet  day  of  Jenawary  in  the 
Year  of  our  Lord,  1754,"   is  on  file  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey, 


*  Note.  The  Southampton  Church  was  built  in  1731  and  used  for  monthly  ser- 
vices by  some  members  01  Pennypack  Baptist  Church  living  in  that  neighborhood, 
and  a  Society  of  Keithians,  until  1746,  when  it  was  incorporated  as  a  Baptist 
Church,  with  Rev.  Joshua  Potts  as  the  first  Pastor. 


144  Tf^E  Potts  Family  in*  America. 

and  recorded  in  Liber  8,  page  29.      It  was  proven  p-ebniar}- 
27,  1754.     He  mention;^  the  following. 

Son  Nathaniel  Potts,  5  s.,  he  having  already  been  pro\'i<fe<l  for. 

Son  Joshua  Potts,  ^250,  and  a  lot  in  Burlington. 

Son  William  Potts,  5  s.,  he  hax-ing  heretofore  been  provided  for. 

Daughter  Rebecca  Cox's  children,  /^loo,  to  l»e  divided  aint>ng  them. 

Daughter  Ann  Folwell,  ;^kjo,     (wife  of  William  Fohvell  /. 

Daughter  Marj',  wife  of  John  Cox,  j^ioo. 

My  son  Thomas  Potts's  children,  /'loo,    to  be  divided  among  them. 

Wife  Rebecca  Potts,  ;^5,  having  heretofore  well  provided  for  her  by 
an  instrument  signed  bj'  me  and  in  the  hands  of  Samuel  .\tkinson, 
and  use  of  rume  [room}  called  parlor  and  conveniences,  as  well  as  ser- 
vices of  negro  woman  Anjegelico,  as  long  as  Rel)ecca  remains  my 
widow. 

He  had  lands  and  meadow's  adjoining  William  Black's  plantation, 
in  Mansfield  Township,  and  known  as  Great  Meadows.  He  had  negro 
slaves  Jafat,  a  mulatto;  Jack,  a  negro;  and  .\ngelico,  a  negro. 

His  executors  were  sons  Joshua  and  William  Potts,  and  son-in-law 
Thomas  Cox.  The  witnesses  were  John  Bates  and  Jeremiah  Bates, 
[Quakers],  and  Thomas  Folks.      The   inventory   filed   amounted   to 

Joshua  Potts,  William  Potts  and  Thomas  Cox  were  duly  sworn  as 
executors  ou  February  27,  1754. 

Here  i.s  given  a  fair  copy  of  his  signature  a.s  appended  to 
the  will,  ■■  ^ 

The  compiler  has  been  unable  to  procure  any  other  copy 
of  his  autograph,  and  as  this  was  written  in  old  age  and 
only  three  days  before  his  decease  when  he  was  in  feeble 
health,  it  is  not  to  be  taken  as  a  fair  sample. 

Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  was  the  father  of  five  sons  and  three 
daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood 
except  perhaps  the  eldest,  who  probably  died  young. 

The  old  Burlington  Book  of  Records  1680,  contains  the 
following  entry  in  the  back  part  of  the  book. 

Thomas  Potts  married  Mary  Records — June  20,  1698. 

son 
Richard  Potts  born  on  Sunday  Dec  17,  1699  about  8th  hower  at  night 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  145 

The  following  records  of  births  are  taken  from  an  old  Bi- 
ble in  possession  of  the  family  at  Trenton. 

Richard  ye  sonne  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Potts  was  bourne  on  Sunday, 
3'e  7th  day  of  December  Anno  1699,  about  Sth  hour  at  night. 

Tliomas  Potts  son  of  Thomas  Potts  and  Mary  his  wife  of  Manstield, 
County  of  Burlington,  grandson  of  Thomas  Potts,  late  of  Philadelphia, 
Tanner,  was  born  on  17  day  of  loth  Month,  old  style.  Anno  Domini, 
1706. 

Children  ok  Thom.^s,  Jr.,  .\nd  M.\rv  (Rkcokds)  Potts. 

5  Richard  Potts,   b.  Dec,  17;   1699.     No  further  account. 

6  ReV)ecca  Potts,  b.  ■;  m.  Thomas  Cox. 

7  Ann  Potts,  b.  Nov.  26,  1704;  m.  William  I'olwell,  Dec.  6,  1727. 
S  Thomas  Potts,  b  10  mo.  17,  1705-6;  d.  1742;  m.  Sarah  Beakes. 
9  Mary  Potts,   b.  ;  m.  John  Cox. 

10  Nathaniel  Potts;  b.  — — ;  d.  June  1761;  u\.  Susanna  Kallam, 

Children  of  Thomas,  Jr.,  .\nd  M.\rv  (  Bordkn)  Potts. 

11  Joshua  Potts,   b.  1719;  d.  June  18,  1761;  m.   .\nn  Borden. 

12  William  Potts,   b.  1721;  d.  July  15,  17S3;  ni.  Amy  Borden. 


6  Rebecca  Potts,*  (Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Richard,"), 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Records)  Potts,  was  born 
about  1702.  She  married  Thomas  Cox,  (perhaps  son  of 
John  Cox,)  who  was  born  June  iS,  1700,  and  died  June  5, 
1783.  He  was  one  of  the  executors  of  the  will  of  Thomas 
Potts,  his  father-in-law,  1754.  Rebecca  seems  to  have  died 
before  1754,  as  her  father  makes  a  beqiie.st  to  her  children 
and  not  to  her.  The  name  of  only  one  of  their  children 
has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  compiler. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (  Potts  )  Cox. 

13     Richard  Cox,  m.  Mercy  Taylor.      A    daughter   Rebecca    (born 
July  25,  1753;  died  February,  1792.),  md.  Rev.  John  Pitman. 
19 


14^  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

7  Ann  Potts,^  (Thomas, ^  Thomas,'  Richard,"),  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Mary  (  Records)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  26, 
1 704.  She  married  W'ilHam  Fohvell,  son  of  Nathan  and 
Ann  Fohvell,  of  Burlington  County,  Dec.  6,  1727.  He  was 
})orn  March  30,  1704,  and  died  June  4,  1776.  They  settled 
in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1755  united  with 
the  Southampton  Baptist  Church  upon  letters  from  Cro.ss- 
wicks  Church  in  Burlington  Comity,  New  Jersey.  fe*weca 
died  February  20,  i  788. 

Chii.drkn  ok  Wii.r.iAM  .\nd  Ann  (Potts)  Foi.wici.i,. 

14  Joseph  Fohvell.   :n.  Ann  Boilean. 

15  Thomas  Folwell,   ni.  E;iizabeth  Watts. 

16  John  F'^ohvell,  ni.  Klizabeth  Boileau. 

17  vSarah  Folwell,   ni.  Nathan  Watts. 

18  A  <laughter. 

8  Thomas  Potts, 3  Jr.,  (Tanner),  (Thomas,^  Thom- 
as,'  Richard,"),  son  of  Thomas  and  Mar}^  (Records)  Potts, 
born  10  mo.  (Dec.  ),  17,  1706,  a  tanner  by  occupation,  and 
resident  of  Mansfield  Township,  Burlington  County,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Beakes,  8  mo,  (0(5t.),  29,  1730,  and  died  1742, 
aged  about  35  3'ears.  When  nece.s.sary  to  distinguish  him 
from  other  persons  of  the  same  name  he  will  be  designated 
as  ' '  Thomas  Potts,  Jr. .  ( Tanner) . ' ' 

By  the  will  of  his  grandfather,  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  he 
inherited  a  lot  of  ground  in  Gilbert's  Alley,  Philadelphia,* 
which  he  conveyed  to  Andrew  Edge,  by  a  deed  dated  Aug- 
u.st  14,  1728,  but  not  recorded  until  Augu.st  16,  1799.  The 
following  a  copy  thereof,  as  recorded  at  Philadelphia,  in 
Deed- Book  D  77,  page  275. 

Deed  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (  Tanner),  to  Andrew  Edge. 

This  Indentnre  made  the  fonrteenth  day  of  August  in  the  year  of 
Lcjrd  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Twent}'  F-ight,  Between 
Thomas  Potts  of  Mansfield  in  the  County  of  Burlington  in  the  West- 
ern Division  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  Tanner,  of  the  one  part, 

*  See  page  132,  ante 


Thomas  Potts,  (vShield),  amd  Family.  147 

and  Andrew  Edge  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  in  the  Province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Cordwainer,  of  the  other  part, 

WITNESSETH  that  the  said  Thomas  Potts  for  and  in  consideration  of 
One  hnndred  Ponnds  lawful  money»of  Pennsylvania  to  him  paid  by 
the  said  Andrew  PMge  and  for  divers  other  good  causes  and  consider- 
ations him  especially  moving,  hath  granted  Consigned  Sold  t^n- 
feoffed  and  Confirmed  and  l>y  these  presents  doth  grant  bargain  sell 
Enfeoff  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Andrew  Edge  a  Certain  Messuage 
or  Tenement  and  IvOt  or  piece  of  ground  thereunto  Ijelonging  Situate 
iji  the  said  City,  of  fifteen  foot  in  breadth  and  in  length  fl'ortv  Plight 
foot  and  a  half.  Bounded  Eastward  with  ground  of  Arthur  Wells  at 
the  distance  of  fifteen  foot  from  Thomas's  ground.  Southward  with 
Widow  Redmony  Lot,  Westward  with  other  ground  late  of  said  Ar- 
thur Wells  lately  granted  unto  the  said  Andrew  Edge,  and  Northward 
with  five  foot  of  ground  which  divides  this  from  a  Certain  ten  foot  alle\- 
so  as  to  make  the  same  Alley  fifteen  foot  Broad,  which  fifteen  foot  of 
ground  hereljy  granted  was  lately  conveyed  t)v  Arthur  Wells  vf  Ben- 
salem  in  the  County  of  Bucks  in  the  said  province  of  Pennsylvania. 
Cordwainer,  one  of  the  sons  of  Arthur  Wells  late  of  the  Citv  of  Phila- 
delphia aforesaid  Smith  deceased,  unto  TlKmias  Potts  of  the  said  Cit^ 
Tanner,  Grandfather  of  the  said  Thomas  Potts  party  hereto,  in  ffee  bv 
Certain  Indentures  of  Lease  and  Release  of  the  Twenty  Eighth  and 
Twenty  Ninth  days  of  July  A".  D'.  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
Twenty  four.  Whi3  being  then  seized  of  the  premises  devisrd  the  same 
by  his  last  will  and  Te.staraent  dated  the  Twenty  fifth  dav  of  t'ebruarv 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Twenty  four.*  unto  his  said  Grand- 
son in  flfee  and  died.  Together  also  with  all  and  singular  the  Wa^•s 
Alleys  Passages  Waters  Watercourses  Lights  P'asements  Rights  Liber- 
ties Privileges  Improvements  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  there- 
unto belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  and  the  Reversions  Re- 
mainders Rents  Issues  and  profits  thereof  and  all  the  Estate  Right  Ti- 
tle Interest  Use  pos.session  property  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever 
of  him  the  said  Thomas  Potts  party  hereunto  of  in  and  to  the  hereb> 
granted  premises  and  the  said  recited  Indentures  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  said  Messuage  Lot  or  piece  of  ground  Hereditaments  and  premises 
hereby  granted  or  mentioned  to  be  granted  with  appurtenances  unto 
the  said  Andrew  Edge  his  heirs  and  assigns  To  the  only  proper  use 
iind  Behoof  of  him  tlie  said  Andrew  Edge  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever, 
lender  the  proportionable  part  of  the  Yearly  Quit  Rent  hereafter  ac- 
cruing for  the  hereby  granted  premises  to  the  Chief  Lord  of  the  ffee 
thereof. 

And  the  said  Thomas  Potts  party  hereto  and  his  Heirs  the  said  Mcs- 

*  NoTi;.     In  tlie  Xevv  Style  Calendar  the  year  would  be  1725. 


14.S  Thk  Potts  Fajmii.v  in  A.^rKKicA. 

suaj^f  Lot  or  piece  (jf  ground  Herir<liUuiifi)ts  and  premises  herein- 
granled  or  mentioned  to  be  granted  witli  tlie  apurtenances  unto  tlie 
said  Andrew  Rdge  his  Heirs  and  assigns  against  him  the  said  Thomas 
Potts  party  liereunto  and  his  heirs  against  tlie  Heirs  of  the  said  Thom- 
as Potts  the  Grandfather  deceased  an<l  against  all  and  every  other  per- 
son and  persons  whatsoever  lawfully  claiming  or  to  claim  by  from  or 
under  him  them  or  any  of  them  shall  and  will  warr*  &  forever  De- 
feu<l  by  these  presents 

In  Witness  whereof  the  said  parties  to  these  presents  have  inter- 
changably  set  their  hands  and  Seals  hereunto  Dated  the  Day  and 
year  first  above  written.  [Signed.]         Tho°  PoTTS,  J  UN''   [Seal.] 

Sealed  and  declared  in  the  pre.sence  of  us 
Cha.  Brockdkn        Chris  Denning. 

.Mkmorand-"*'  the  fourteenth  day  of  Augu.st  A.  D.  One  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  twenty  eight  full  and  peaceable  Seizure  of  the  Mes- 
suage or  Tenement  and  piece  of  ground  &  Hereditaments  within  men- 
tioned to  be  granted  was  delivered  by  the  within  named  Thomas  Potts 
to  the  within  named  Andrew  Edge  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  according  to 
form  and  Effect  of  the  within  Indenture.  Witness  present  Cha.  Brock- 
den.     vSam"  Hall 

The  vSixteenth  day  of  May  in  the  year  of  our  I^ord  1760,  Before  me 
Thomas  Lawrence  Esquire  One  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  &c.  Per- 
sonally appeared  Charles  Brockden  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  Gent, 
and  upon  his  solemn  Affirmation  according  to  Law  did  say  and  affirm 
that  he  was  present  and  (iid  .see  the  within  named  Thomas  Potts  Jun- 
ior Seal  and  as  his  Deed  Deliver  the  within  written  Indenture  and  that 
his  this  affirmants  name  subscribed  unto  the  same  as  Witness  thereof 
is  of  his  this  affirmants  own  hand  writing. 

In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  the  day 
&  year  aboves''  [Signed.]  Tho  Lawrence  [t..s.] 

Recorded  the  i6th  day  of  Augu.st   1799. 


Oil  8  nio.  [Ocl.],  29,  1730,  Thomas  Potts  married  Sarah 
Beakes,  daughter  of  William  and  Ruth  (Stacy)  Beakes. 
He  was  brought  up  under  the  influence  of  the  religious 
teaching  of  the  Bapti.sts,  but  at  his  marriage  became  aflili- 
ated  with  F'riends.  Looking  forward  to  marriage  with  the 
young  Quakeress,  he  addres.sed  the  following  letter  to  the 
Meeting  to  which  .she  was  attached.  The  original  is  in  the 
custody  of  the  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shikld),  and  Family.  149 

To  THK  PREPARATIVE  MEETING  OF  FrIENDS  AT  CrOSWICKS. 
RespecTied  ffriends. 

I  have  a  Desire  &  Inclination  to  Consumate  my  intended  Marriage 
with  one  of  your  Perswasion,  in  the  way  which  is  practiced  &  Es- 
teemed most  Reputable  amongst  ffriends. — 

And  to  accomodate  the  same  with  Decency  &  Order;  it  will  ( I  pre- 
sume)  he  e.xpe<fted  (by  another  meeting)  that  I  produce  some  Certifi- 
cate, or  Recommendation  of  my  Regular  Living.  I  send  these  to  ap- 
pri.se  you,  &  Desire  \-our  Consideracon  thereon;  That  I  purpose  to  Re- 
quest such  a  favour  of  you  at  j'our  next  Monthh'  Meeting.  If  it  be 
thought  proper — And  as  I  would  be  very  carefull  not  to  bring  any  Re- 
proach upon  a  Society-  of  well  Disciplined  Christians  ;  to  that  End  I 
shall  endeavour  to  adl  nothing  that  ma}'  Disoltlige  anv^  party,  that  are 
Either  Related,  or  otherwise  concerned. 

My  Parents  have  been  acquainted  with  my  Intention  in  this  partic- 
ular and  Do  assent  theretoo.  And  fur  myself  I  do  greatly  approve  of 
Your  Method  of  Marriage,  as  the  same  in  my  Judgement,  is  verv  con- 
sistent to  vScripture,  Good  Rule  &  Decency.  But  becauee  I  am  appre- 
hensive it  may  be  obje<5led  that  the  Different  way  in  which  I  have 
been  Educated,  had  Excluded  me  from  your  Protcdlion  and  assistance 
in  this  respect,  &  that  my  Condesention  may  be  only  to  gain  a  partic- 
ular End,  &  to  have  it  in  my  power  to  Subvert  &  Disswade  a  Vertuous 
Innocent  person  from  these  good  principals  in  which  she  is  now  Es- 
tablished. To  which  Objec?tions  I  would  thus  far  answer  :  That  I  be- 
lie\'e  my  Education  to  have  made  very  Little  more  or  other  Difference 
than  to  Introduce  &  give  Sanction  to  Several  Customs  in  Salutation, 
Dress  &c.  that  are  not  held  Decent  &  practiced  amongst  you  ;  for  as 
far  as  I  have  Informed  myself  into  y""  principals,  I  have  found  them 
warrentably  Soported,  &  veiy  Consonant  to  the  workings  of  my  own 
mind.  And  for  me  to  conform  with  any  Society  &  and  to  Embrace 
a  new  Opinion  from  no  other  motive  or  better  Testimony,  than  to  gain 
a  particular  End:  or  Common  Interest,  would  Discover  a  greater  Weak- 
ness &  Impiety,  that  I  hope  Ever  to  be  Tin<ftured  with.  And  because 
I  am  greatly  Inclined  to  favour  the  principals  which  you  hold,  it  is 
therefore  far  from  m}-  Intentions;  &  very  Improbable,  that  I  shall  ev- 
er Endeavour  the  alteration  or  subversion  of  the  opinion  of  my  Inten- 
ded Partner:  well  knowing  that  the  Consequence  would  tend  to  my 
own  Infeliscity  &  Disquiet — and  Tho'  I  am  not  fully  satisfied  Imedi- 
ately  to  fall  in  with  every  pumftillio  in  y*^  oeconomy  ;  I  am  very  De- 
sirous to  Live  &  Maintain  a  Sincear  friendship  &  Christian  Commu- 
nion with  all  &  Each  of  you. 

Thus  much  by  the  hands  of  a  friend.  I  thought  ^per  to  ^sent  to 
you  ;  &  Desire  you  would  Deliberate  thereon^  begging  your  Indul- 


150  Thk  Potts  Family  jn  Amhrica. 

but  if  fur  g 
>ue  Respecli 


jjence  in  the  af**  Request ;  but  if  fur  guod  reascjus  r;.'je6lefl  shall  rt'St. 
Satisfied.     Who  am  with  Due  Respecls 

Wliitehill  24^''  July  1730 


-J^ 


Thomas  Potts  was  evideiitl_\'  in  very  (^ood  repute  anionji' 
Friends,  and  his  case  met  with  favorable  consideration.  The 
following  are  copies  of  the  records  of  the  ' '  passing-  meet- 
ing" of  the  young  couple  as  found  entered  upon  the  min- 
utes of  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends. 

At  a  Monthh-  Meeting  of  I'Yiends  held  at  onr  Meeting  House  in 
Chesterfield  the  6"'  of  the  6'""  1730. 

Thomas  Potts  Jun''  though  not  educated  in  our  Society  after  liariTig 
made  some  way  by  Friends  of  our  last  preparative  Meeting  acquainted 
this  Meeting  that  he  had  a  desire  to  proceed  in  marriage  with  vSarah 
Beakes  who  hath  been  educated  under  her  parents  in  the  Religious 
way  of  Friends  &  that  he  had  under  his  consideration  the  consistency 
of  Friends'  principles  &  found  them  in  his  Judgment  very  agreeable 
&  therefore  requests  this  Meeting  to  recommend  him  to  their  Friends 
as  they  can  have  freedom  Whereupoii  we  appoint  our  Friends  Isaac 
Horner  &  Isaac  Harrow  to  make  inquiry  concerning  his  conversatior 
&  of  his  clearness  from  all  other  women  on  account  of  marriage  tt 
make  report  to  onr  next  Monthly  Meeting 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  held  at  their  Meeting  House  in 
Chesterfield  the  third  day  of  the  Seventh  month  [September]  1730 

The  Friends  appointed  last  meeting  to  enquire  concerning  Tliomas 
Potts'  conversation  and  clearness  on  account  of  marriage  find  nothing 
to  obstruct  his  having  a  few  lines  by  way  of  certificate  and  granted 
him  one  from  this  Meeting  according  as  his  conversation  &  education 
have  been  &  further  that  he  hath  giveii  us  to  l)elieve  that  he  is  con- 
vinced of  our  Principles 

Marriage  Certificate  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  and  Sarah  Beakes. 

Whereas  Thomas  Potts  of  the  Township  of  INIansfield  in  the  County 
of  Burlington  and  Province  of  New  Jersey  Yeoman  and  Sarah  Beakes 
of  the  Township  of  Chester  in  the  said  County  having  declared  their 
Intentions  of  Marriage  with  each  other  before  several  Monthly  Meet- 
ings of  the  People  called  Quakers  at  Haddonfield  in  the  County  of 
Gloscester  and  Province  aforesaid  according  to  the  g<Jod  order  used 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shiei.d),  and  Family.  151 

iiuoiigst  them  ^vhose  proceedings  therein  after  deliberate  Considera- 
tion thereof  having  consent  of  Parents  and  Relatives  concerned  noth- 
ing appearing  to  obstrucfl  were  approved  of  by  the  said  Meeting 

Now  these  are  to  Certify  all  whom  it  may  concern  that  for  the  full 
accomplishing  their  said  Intentions  this  twenty  ninth  dav  of  the 
eighth  montli  in  the  vear  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  thirty  they  the  said  Thomas  Potts  and  Sarah  Beakes  appeared  in 
;i  publick  Meeting  of  the  said  People  and  others  at  the  Meeting  House 
in  the  Township  of  Chester  And  the  said  Thomas  Potts  taking  the 
said  Sarah  Beakes  by  the  Hand  did  in  a  solemn  manner  openly  declare 
that  he  took  her  to  be  his  Wife  Promising  to  be  unto  her  a  loving  and 
faithfull  Husband  untill  the  Lord  should  by  Death  seperate  them  and 
ilien  and  there  in  the  said  assembly  the  said  vSarah  Beakes  did  in  like 
manner  declare  that  she  took  the  said  Thomas  Potts  to  be  her  Hus- 
band Promising  to  be  unto  him  a  faithfull  and  loving  Wife  untill  it 
should  please  the  Lord  by  death  to  seperate  them.  And  moreover  the 
said  Thomas  Potts  and  Sarah  Beakes  ( she  according  to  the  custom  of 
INIarriage  assuming  the  Name  of  her  Husband)  as  a  further  confima- 
lion  thereof  then  and  there  to  these  presents  set  their  Hands  And  we 
'A  hose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed  being  among  others  at  the  Sol- 
emnization of  the  said  Marriage  and  Subscription  in  manner  aforesaid 
as  Witnesses  thereunto  have  also  to  these  presents  set  our  Hands  the 
day  &  3-ear  above  written.      1730.  Tho^  Potts  Jun"^ 

Sarah  Potts 


Peter  Fearon 
William  Hollingshead 
Thomas  Cox  jun'^ 
EdmJ  Hollingshead 
Esther  Furnis 
Elizabeth  Beakes 
Sarah  Burradill 
Katharine  Talbot 
Susannah  Fairman 
Thomas  Wright 
Elizabeth  Fairman 
Ann  Parsons 
Jane  Turner 
Rebekah  Atkinson 
Mary  Kirkbride 
Rebekah  Wright 
Mary  Pownall 
Elizabeth  Hootton 
Rebekah  Borradail 


Arthur  Borradail 
Hugh  Hollingshead 
Benjamin  Fairman 
Revell  Elton 
George  Hollingshead 
John  Borton 
Thomas  Hootton 
Mary  Hootton 
Susannah  Willkins 
Joseph  Grainger 
Thomas  Janney 
Mahlon  Kirkbride 
Isaac  Knight  jun*" 
Abel  Janney 
Robert  Kirkbride 
John  Turner 
John  Hootton 
Robert  Davis 
Edward  Clemans 


Thomas  Potts 
Samuel  Atkinson 
Ruth  Atkinson 
Samuel  Beakes 
Mahlon  Stacy 
Edm''  Beakes 
William  Beakes 
Stacy  Beakes 
Nathan  Beakes 
Mary  Potts  Jun"" 
Nathaniel  Potts 
William  Follwell 
John  Parsons 
John  Hillard 
Elizabeth  Knight 
John  Brook  jun"" 
Hugh  Cowperthwait 
Thomas  Atkinson 
John  Hollingshead 


152  The  Potts  Familv  ix  Amkkica. 

Tlionias  Potts'  ledger,  coverino^  a  period  from  1727  to 
1741,  is  in  possession  of  the  New  Jersey  Historical  Society. 
The  compiler  has  had  no  opportunity  to  examine  it,  but  has 
been  informed  that  it  contains  accounts  with 

1728.  William  Mockrido^e,  Tenant  in  my  House  in  Phil- 
adelphia. 

1729.  Mrs.  Annie  Pidgeon.  \_Nee  Annie  Peg'g.] 
1731-     John  Reading,  Hunterdon  County. 

1734.     Father  Thomas  Potts. 

1738.     Nathaniel  Potts,  brother. 

1741.  John  Chapman. 
And  the  following  of  which  the  dates  were  not  mentioned. 
Aunt  Mary  Coxe;  Thomas  Cox,  (James'  son);  Tho  Cox, 
Bro  in  ;  Jno  Cox  Bro  in  law;  Brother  John  Cox;  Thom- 
as Newbold;  Robert  Grace,  Philadelphia:  Anne  Lambert , 
widow  Philadelphia;   and  many  others. 

Thomas  Potts  died  about  1742,  and  on  July  19,  1742,  let- 
ters of  administration  were  granted  unto  "  Sarah  Potts  wid- 
ow &  Reli(5l  of  Thomas  Potts  jun'  late  of  Mansfield  in  the 
County  of  Burlington  Tanner  deceased."  Sarah  Potts  is 
said  to  have  died  in  1757- 

Children  OI-"  Thom.^s  and  Sarah  (Be.\kes)  Potts. 

ig     Stacy  Potts,  b.  7  mo.  20,  1731;  d.  April  30,  r8i6;  m,  ist,  Esther 

Pancoast;  m.  2d,  Margaretta  Yardley;  m.  3d,  Mrs.  Boyd. 
20     Richard  Potts,  b.  Jan.  i,  1733;  m.  Rebecca  Amey. 
44 — NaUiuH-  Dcakcs  l^ts: — ^fo^ftrrthor  aceomU.  ^l  to  ') ^3 •  nnf/ (ty.A.^tZ- 

22  Ruth  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Johnson. 

23  Thomas  Potts,  b.  7  mo.  24,  1738. 

24  Sarah  Potts,  b.  10  mo.  14,  1740. 

9  Mary  Potts,'  (Thomas,* Thomas,' Richard,"), daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Records)  Potts,   was  born  . 

She  married  John  Cox,  a  cousin  of  Thomas  Cox  who  mar- 
ried her  sister  Rebecca.  He  owned  farms  above  Box  Grove 
in  Upper  Freehold  Township,  Monmouth  County.  Mary 
survived  her  husband  and  lived  to  be  96  years  of  age.     Rev. 


Thomas  Potts,  (vShikld),  and  F'amily.         153 

Samuel  J.  Cox,  who  was  born  in  1789,  said  he  remembered 
her  very  well  when  he  was  a  small  boy. 

Children  of  John  and  Mary  (Potts)  Cox, 

25  James  Cox,  m. 

26  ■\Villiam  Cos,  ni. 

27  Mary  Cox,  m.  Robeft  Jones. 

28  Catharine  Cox,  m.  Capt.  Benjamin  L,o:tley,  of  Philadelphia. 


10  Nathaniel  Potts,'  (Thomas,*  Thomas,' Richard,''), 
son  of  Thomas  and  Marj'  (Records)  Potts,  married  Susan- 
na Kallam,  1741,  lived  in  Mansfield  Township,  Burlington 
County,  and  died  June  1761. 

The  West  Jersey  records  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State  at  Trenton,  show  that  a  marriage  license  was  issued 
Nov.  30,  1741.  to  Nathaniel  Potts,  of  Mansfield,  Burlington 
County,  yeoman,  and  Susannah  Kallam,  of  Chesterfield, 
said  county,  spinster.  On  January  i,  1754,  his  father  con- 
veyed to  him  a  tracft  of  land  in  Mansfield  Township.  On 
June  26,  1760,  the  following  advertisement  appeared  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Gazettd. 

To  be  sol<l  by  the  Subscriber  hereof,  a  Plantation  situate  in  Mans- 
tield,  in  the  County  of  Burlington,  in  the  Western  Division  of  the 
Pro\dnce  of  New  Jersey,  containing  400  Acres  of  good  Land,  150  Acres 
thereof,  cleared  and  within  Fence,  16  acres  thereof  good  mowing  Mead- 


Memor.\>;i)A.  After  the  foregoing  pages  were  printed,  some  additional  Bible 
record.s  were  received,  which  corre3t.^  some  errors  and  furnishes  more  accurate 
information  of  Thomas  Potts  and  his  family. 

8  Tho.m.^s  Potts,  Jr.,  (T.^nner),  born  10  mo.  17,  1705-6,  died  3  nio,  31,  1742,  in 
the  •'16th  vear  of  his  age. 

SaVah  Beakes.  daughter  of  William  and  kuth  (Stacy)  Beakes,  was  born  i  mo.  12, 
1705-6.  and  died  7  mo.  11,  1757,  in  the  52d  year  of  her  age. 

'I'he  Bible  record  of  their  marriage  is  entered  as  follows  ; 

"Thomas  Potts  and  .Sarah  Beakes  were  married  in  the  manner  of  the  people 
called  Qnakers  published  at  Haddonfield  Meeting  House  in  Gloucester  County  and 
married  at  Adams  Meeting  in  Chester  Townshipin  Burlington  Co.,  upon  the  29th 
day  of  the  Sth  mo.  O.  ,S.  Anno  Domini  1730." 

The  following  record  of  their  children  should  be  substituted  for  that  oh  page  152 
so  far  as  names  and  dates  are  concerned. 

19  Stacy  Potts,  b.  7  mo.  20,  1731;  d.  April  30,  1S16. 

20  Richard  Potts,  b.  11  mo.  i,  1732-3. 

21  Ruth  Potts,  b.  II  mo.  23.  1734-5. 

22  Mary  Potts,  b.  i  mo.  15.  1736. 

23  Thomas  Potts,  b.  7  mo.  24,  1738;  d.  7  njo.  21,  1742. 

24  Sarah  Potts,  b.  10  rao.  14,  1740. 

30 


154  I'hk  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ow,  and  a  considerable  Quantity  more  made  ;  The  timbered  Land  ex- 
traordinary well  timbered,  and  the  whole  well  watered.  A  good  Brick 
Dwelling  house  and  Barn  on  the  same  and  sundry  other  Buildings.  A 
choice  Orchard,  bounded  on  the  North  by  the  River  Delaware,  and  on 
the  South  by  the  York  Road,  leading  from  Cross  wicks  to  the  City  of 
Burlington,  and  about  7  Knglish  miles  from  it,  and  about  4  from  Bor- 
dentown,  and  is  very  convenient  for  either  a  Gentleman's  Country 
Seat,  or  a  Merchant.  The  Title  is  indisputable.  For  Terms,  and  fur- 
ther Particulars  enquire  of  N.a.TH.\niel  Potts. 

Nathaniel  Pott.s  probably  contemplated  renioviug  to  Phil- 
adelphia County,  Penn-sylvania,  as  he  purcha.sed  175  acre.s 
Lower  Dublin  Township,  and  in  the  early  part  of  1761  he 
and  Susanna  his  wife  executed  a  mortgage  upon  this  land 
to  secure  to  William  Humphries  the  payment  of  ^400.  Na- 
thaniel died  in  June  1761.  Letters  of  administration  were 
issued  to  his  brother  William  Potts.  Letters  were  taken 
out  at  Philadelphia  as  well  as  at  Trenton.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear that  there  were  any  children. 


II  Rev.  Joshua  Potts, ^  (Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Rich- 
ard,"), son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Borden?)  Potts,  was  born 
January  4,  171 9,  at  Mansfield,  Burlington  County.  Hebe- 
came  a  Baptist  minister  and  was  settled  over  the  Southamp- 
ton Church  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  until  his  death 
in  1 761.     His  wife  was  Ann  Borden. 

Joshua  Potts  married  Ann  Borden,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Ann  (Conover)  Borden.*    Joshua  was  baptized  at  Pen- 


*  Thk  Bordk.v  Kamii.v.  Richard  Borden  (b.  1601,  d.  1671.),  with  wife  Joan,  set- 
tled in  Portsmouth,  R.  I.  He  owned  lands  in  Rhode  Island  and  New  Jersej-,  and 
left  seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  Some  of  the  .sons  settled  in  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania.  Benjamin  Borden,  (9th  child),  born  1649,  married  Abigail  Grover, 
(daughter  of  Henry  of  Hartford,  Conn.),  1670,  and  settled  at  Shrewsbury,  New 
jersey.  They  had  eight  .«ons  and  two  daughter.  Joseph  Borden.  (7th  child),  was 
born  May  12,  1687.  He  married  Ann  Conover  (formerly  Cowenhoven).  In  1724 
he  purcha.sed  lands  on  the  Delaware  River,  where  he  subsequt-ntly  founded  Bor- 
dentown.     He  died  Sept.  22,  1765,  leaving  one  son  and  six  daughters,  viz. 

1  Joseph  Borden,  b.  1719;  d.  1791;  ra.  Elizabeth  Watson. 

2  Rebecca  Borden,  m.  Joseph  Brown. 

3  Hannah  Borden,  m.  John  Lawrence. 

4  Elizabeth  Borden,  ni.  Joseph  Douglass. 

5  A  daughter,  m. Clayton. 

6  Anne  Borden,  m.  Rev.  Joshua  Potts. 

7  .\my  Borden,  b.  1723;  d.  1804;  m.  William  Potts. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  amd  F'amily.         155 

iiypack  September  2,  1738.  Ann  Potts  his  wife  was  bap- 
tized at  Croswicks  August  1742,  by  Abel  Morgan.  In  No- 
vember 1744,  Ann  Potts,  wife  of  Joshua,  was  admitted  to 
Pennypack  Church  from  Middletown,  East  Jersey. 

On  February  3,  1743,  his  father  deeded  him  a  lot  or  piece 
of  ground  in  Hatborough  in  the  Manor  of  Moreland,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  in  1760  Joshua  and  Ann  Potts  join  in  a  deed 
convej'ing  this  same  property  to  Jacob  Tompkins.  The 
vdllage  of  Hatborough  is  situated  a  short  distance  west  of 
the  Bucks  County  line,  in  what  is  now  Montgomery  Coun- 
ty, but  then  Philadelphia  County. 

The  History  of  Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania,  by  Mr. 
Theodore  W.  Bean,  contains  the  following  notice  of  Rev. 
Joshua  Potts. 

The  Rev.  Joshua  Potts  lived  in  the  house  of  the  Joseph  B.  Verkes, 
near  the  York  Road,  below  Hatboro',  which  he  built  in  1759,  and 
which  is  still  standing,  containing  a  stone  with  his  name  and  date. 
He  owned  here  at  the  time  several  hundred  acres.  He  was  the  first 
pastor  of  the  Southampton  Baptist  Church,  built  [?]  in  1746,  and  in 
which  he  officiated  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  happened  June  18, 
1761,  at  the  age  of  forty  six  years.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Hatboro'  Library  in  1755. 

The  Pemisyiva7tia  Gazette,  in  the  issue  of  Nov.  2,  1758, 
contains  the  following  notice  of  a  Library  meeting. 

Notice  is  hereby  given  to  the  Members  of  the  Union  Library  Com- 
pany of  Hatborough,  that  they  attend  their  Annual  Meeting,  at  the 
Library  Room,  on  the  Fourth  Day  of  November  next,  between  the 
Hours  of  Twelve  and  Four  in  the  afternoon,  in  order  to  choose  Direc- 
tors, Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  to  make  their 
third  Annual  Payment.     By  Ofdef  of  the  Director 

Joshua  Pon^s,  Secretary. 

Joshua  Potts  was  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  on 
May  29,  1746,  and  became  the  pastor  of  the  Southampton 
Baptist  Church,  in  Bucks  County,  Penna.  The  records  of 
that  Church  contains  the  following  obituary  notice  of  him. 


156  The  Potts  Famii.v  in  Amkrica. 

He  was  a  minister  from  our  first  Constitution  to  the  Day  of  his 
Death.  He  was  afflicled  for  some  years  with  a  very  painful  disorder, 
which  the  Do<5lors  said  was  the  Gravel  in  his  Kidneys,  which  he  bore 
with  no  less  Fortitude  than  Resignatioji ;  and  Continued  to  Preach  to 
the  last,  notwithstanding  he  was  frequently  oblij^ed  to  walk  a  foot  not 
less  than  five  miles  to  meeting;,  not  being  able  to  l)ear  the  motion  of  a 
Horse  &  Carriage.  He  was  truly  Pious,  yet  Genteel,  gay  and  Cheer- 
ful, a  most  agreeable  Companion,  a  Good  Neighbor,  a  kind  Husband, 
a  tender  parent  and  an  accomplished  Preacher. 

In  another  place  is  this  memorandtim. 

Joshua  Potts,  the  first  Ordained  Minister  of  the  Church  at  South- 
ampton, Died  at  his  own  House  in , Moor-land  about  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  iStli  of  June  and  was  Buried  at  vSouthampton  the  20"'' 
1 76 1  Aged  42  years  5  months  &  14  days. 

In  Morgan  Edwards'  Materials  tozvards  a  History  of  the 
Baptists,  etc. ,  speaking  of  the  Southampton  Church  is  this 
notice. 

Rev.  Joshua  Potts.  He  was  born  Jan.  4,  17 19,  at  Mansfield,  in  the 
Jersey.  Baptized  Sep.  2,  1738.  Ordained  May  29,  1746,  at  which  time 
he  took  the  care  of  the  church,  and  continued  therein  to  his  death, 
which  came  to  pass  June  18,  1761,  and  was  buried  at  Southampton. 
Mr.  Potts  is  said  to  have  been  endowed  with  a  very  uncommon  share 
of  those  qualifications  which  render  the  civil  and  ministerial  life  ami- 
able. He  married  Ann  Borden  by  whom  he  had  children,  Mary,  Amy, 
Abigail,  Rebeka,  Hannah,  Joshua,  Thomas,  All  single  except  two  who 
married  into  the  Edwards  and  Taylor  families. 

The  will  of  Joshua  Potts,  made  September  16,  1757,  and 
proven  August  1 1 ,  1761 ,  is  recorded  at  Philadelphia,  in  Will- 
Book  M,  page  165.  He  mentions  wife  Ann  Potts,  children 
Thomas,  Mary,  Anne,  Abigail,  Rebecca  and  Hannah,  his 
brothers  Nathaniel  and  William,  and  brother-in-law  Jo.seph 
Borden. 

Sometime  after  his  death  his  family  removed  to  Btirling- 
ton  County,  New  Jersey,  and  on  July  5,  1766,  Ann  Potts 
was  dismissed  to  the  Church  at  Croswicks,  as  shown  by  the 
records  of  the  Southampton  Church  in  this  entry. 

Ann  Potts,  Widow  &  Reli<5l  of  the  Rev''  Joshua  Potts  I^ate  Minister 


'Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  aistj  "Family.  157 

•of  this  place  Dec'^  was  Dismissed  to  the  Church  at  Croswicks  July  ,5^\ 
3766. 

Children  of  Rev.  Joshua  -and  A-nn  (  Borden  )  Pott,s. 

.29  Joshua  Potts,  m.  JNIary  Bunti-ng. 

30  Thomas  Potts,  ni.  Retj^cca^^trr^  (?);  £cp.  i-^rr-^^-ff^  seh 

,31  Amy  Potts,  m.  Lawrence  Taylor,  Jan.  5,  1767.  -A.PP]CiVl>iXi 

32  Mar3'  Potts. 

33  Anne  Potts. 
.34  Abio;ail  Potts. 

35  Rebecca  Potts,  m.  John  McGalliard. (?) 

36  Hannah  Potts. 


12  William  Potts,'  (Thonia.s,^  Thomas,^  Richard,'), 
son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Borden?)  Potts,  was  born  1721, 
and  died  July  25,  1783.  He  married  Amy  Borden,  yotmg- 
est  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Ann  (Conover)  Borden,  of  Bor- 
dentown,  about  1755  or  1756.  He  was  a  resident  of  Mans- 
field Township,  Burlington  County'.  He  was  an  adtive  Pa- 
triot during  the  Revolution.  On  Feb.  14,  1775,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  the 
City  and  County  of  Burlington,  At  the  time  it  was  stated 
that  the  assembh'  of  citizens,  freeholders,  etc. ,  met  to  ap- 
point the  Committee  and 

that  the  said  Committee  shall  be  and  continue  to  adt  for  one  year  from 
this  date  unless  the  measures  of  the  next  General  Congress  shall  make 
an  alteration  necessary.     Signed  by  order  of  the  meeting. 

Peter  Tai.i,man,  Chairman. 

Strykef  s  /ersej'tnen  in  the  Revolution,  includes  the  name 
of  William  Potts. 

William  Potts  died  July  25,  1783,  in  the  62  d  year  of  his 

age.     The  diary  of  Rev.  John  Pitman  *  contains  this  entry, 

July  24,  1783.  Crossed  the  Ferry,  got  to  William  Potts  passed  11  a 
clock,  Mr.  Potts  lay  a  dying,  he  died  a  little  after  2  o'clock.  He  la}- 
2  Da3's  without  seeing,  speaking  or  eating. 


*  Notk.  Rev.  John  Pitman's  wife  was  a  niece  of  William  Potts.  See  page  145. 
ante.  Another  entry  in  this  diary  is  as  follows,  "  Jan.  14,  17S4.  Got  to  Borden- 
town  and  found  Aunt  Potts  dead,  she  died  yesterday  between  8  and  9  a  clock  in 
the  morning."     Perhaps  "Aunt  Potts"  was  Anne,  widow  of  Rev.  Joshua  Potts. 


^58  The  Potts  Family  m  Amkrica. 

His  tombstone,  in  the  Baptist  graveyard  at  Bordentowii. 
New  Jersey,  bears  this  itsscription  : 

In  Memory  of 

WILLIAM   POTTS; 

Who  died  JuXy  the 

25^''    Anno  rXjmini 

k  the  di^  Year  of 
his  age, 

Willia-m*  Potts',  of  Mansfield,  Bitrlingtoir-  County,  in  his- 
will,  made  April  9,  1783.,  and  prm-en  Augitst  16,  of  the  same 
year,  mention's  wife,  soos  William  anid  Josepii,  and  daugh- 
ters Mary,  Amy  and  Ann.  He  leaves  ;^2o  to  repair  the 
Baptist  Meeting  house  at  Bordentown.  The  executors 
named  were  sons  William  and  Joseph  Potts  and  son-in-law 
James  Cox.  The  witnesses  were  Sam>uel  Er>glish,  Joshua 
Potts  and  Petter  Willson. 

Amy  Pott'^,  widow,  died  August  19,  1804.  leaving  a  will 
dated  June  6,  1799,  and  proven  September  24,  1804.  She 
mentions  son  Joseph  Potts,  daughter-in-law  Rebecca,  widow 
of  William,  deceased;  daughters  Ana  Cox,  Mary  Eaton  and 
Amy  Potts.  Executors,  son-in-law  James  Cox  and  John 
diver.     Her  tora,b  near  that  of  her  husband  i.^  inscribed 

In 

memory  of 

AMY  widow  of 

William    Potts 

who  died  Aug'  19th  ifc^ 

in  the  81'  year  of 

her  ag.e 

GrilLrfWlElS  O^  WlL-UAM  AND  AMY  (  FoRDEN)  PoTT». 
^     Ann  Potts,  b.  Feb.  13,  1757;  d.  1815;  m.  Gen.  Jante.-*  Cox. 
58     William  Potts,  b.  April  J6',  1760;  d.  1796;   m.   Rebecca  Mount*. 

39  Mar>'  Potts,  b.  March  2(5,  1762;  d.  1843;  m.  Dr.  David  Eaton. 

40  Joseph  Potts,  b.  April  10,  1764;  d.  ;  m.  Sarah  Carty. 

41  Amy  Potts,  b.  July  26,  1767;  d.  1840;  m.  Thontas  Potts. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shiexd),  and  Pamtxy.  159 

14  Joseph  Folwell,*  (Ann,*  Thomas,' Thomas,' Rich- 
ard,*), son  of  William  and  Ann  (Potts)  Folwell,  was  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  Revolutionary  Army.  He  married  Ann  Boileau, 
and  about  1800  removed  to  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  died  in  1824. 

Children  of  Joseph  and  Ank  (Boii,ead)  Foi,avei.i,. 

42  Joseph  Folwell. 

43  Isaac  Folwell. 

44  Nathaniel  B.  FolweH.     One  of  his  granddaughters  is  married  to 

Mr.  Rae  Reisinger  of  Franklin,  Penna. 

45  John  Folwell.     Settled  in  Venango  County,  Pa. 

46  William  Folwell.     Settled  in  Venango  County,  Pa, 

47  Rachel  Folwell,  m.  Peter  R,  Harris. 

48  Charlotte  Folwell,  m.  Samuel  Davison, 

49  Sarah  Folwell. 


15  Thomas  Folwell,*  (Ann,' Thomas,*  Thomas,*  Rich- 
ard,*), .son  of  William  and  Ann  (Potts)  Folwell,  married 
Elizabeth  Watts.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
in  his  brother  John's  Southampton  Company. 

Child  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (W.-vrTS)  Folwell. 

50  William  Watts  Folwell,  b.  1768;  d.  1818;  m.  Jane  Dungan.  He 
graduated  at  Brown  University;  was  eledled  to  the  chair  of 
Rhetoric  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  but  declined.  He 
removed  to  Seneca  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  engaged  in  farm* 
ing  and  other  pursuits.  His  son  Thomas  J.  Folwell,  was  the 
father  of  Prof.  William  W.  Folwell,  now  and  for  years  past  a 
member  of  the  Faculty  of  the  University  of  Minnesota, 


i6  John  Folwell,*  (Ann,»  Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Rich- 
ard,''),  married  Elizabeth  Boileau.  He  was  a  Captain  in 
the  Revolution.  He  resided  in  Southampton  Township, 
Bucks  County,  Penn.sylvania,  where  he  died  in  1808,  leav- 
ing one  daughter  Mary. 


r6o  Thte  Pott's  FAMitr  in  Amkrica. 

19  Stacy  Potts,*  (Thomas,*  Thomas,' Thomas,' Rich- 
ard,"), son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Beakes)  Potts,  was  boni 
7  mo.  20,  1 73 1.  He  received  a  good  education,  and  was  a 
tanner  by  trade.  He  established  himself  at  Trenton,  where 
he  was  a  successful  business  man  for  many  years.  He  was- 
a  leading  man  in  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  in  the  govern- 
ment of  West  Jersey.     He  was  three  times  married. 

He  married,  first,  Esther  Pancoast,  (daughter  of  John; 
and  Mary  Pancoast ),  4  mo,  13,  1758,  She  was  born  3  mo. 
16,  1739,  and  died  5  mo.  13,  1769.  He  married,  second, 
Margaretta  Yardley,  (daughter  of  William  Yardley,  of 
Bucks  County,  Pa.),  4,  mo.  15-,  1773.  She  was  born  1 2  mo. 
6,  1752,  and  died  <S  mo;  :?5,  1783.  aged  3a  years,  8"- months, 
and  29  days.  He  married,  third,  Mrs.  Mary  Boj^d,  widow 
of  John  Bo3'd,  of  Harrisburg,  and  daughter  of  George  Wil- 
liams of  Paxtang. 

When  Col.  Rahl,  the  Commander  of  the  British  troops, 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Trenton,  he  was  car- 
ried into  the  house  of  Stacy  Potts,  where  he  was  visited  by 
Gen.  Washington,  and  later  died.  It  has  been  alleged  that 
on  the  night  preceeding  the  battle.  Col.  Rahl  was  engaged 
in  card  playing,  or  as  stated  in  another  account,  he  was  ab- 
sorbed in  a  game  of  chess.  The  account  as  preserved  by 
the  descendants  of  Stacy  Potts  is  to  this  effeA.  Col.  Rahl 
liad  been  Spending  several  days  at  the  house  of  Stacy  Potts, 
and  on  the  night  before  the  battle  he  was  much  interested 
in  watching  some  young  people  playing  at  Fox:  and  Geese, 
when  a  shot  was  heard.  Col.  Rahl  immediately  rushed  out 
of  the  house  and  was  not  seen  again  by  the  family  until  he 
was  carried  in  mortally  wounded. 

About  1790  Stacy  Potts  removed  to  Harrisburg,  where 
he  made  large  purchases  of  land.  In  his  new  home  he  at 
once  became  very  popular  and  prominent,  and  served  in  the 
Penn.sylvania  Legfislature  in  1 791 -1792,  and  1799-1801.  He 
served  as  Burgess  of  the  Borough  and  as  a  member  of  the 
Town  Council. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  i6i 

About  1805  he  returned  to  Trenton,  and  he  subsequently 
became  Mayor  of  the  City,  which  office  he  held  for  some 
years.  He  died  April  28,  1816,  in  his  85th  year.  His  wid- 
ow returned  to  Harrisburg  where  she  died  in  1844,  aged  84 
years.  His  descendants  are  frequently  spoken  of  as  the 
"Trenton  Potts'." 

Miss  Sarah  Sherman,  of  Trenton,  a  granddaughter  of 
Stacy  Potts,  says  she  remembers  hearing  that  her  grand- 
father had  corresponded  with  relatives  in  the  old  country, 
but  if  such  was  the  case  no  vestage  of  the  correspondence 
is  now  known  to  be  in  existence. 

Children  of  St.^cv  .\nd  Esther  (Pancoast)  Potts. 

51  Mary-  Potts,  b.  2  mo.  18,  1759:  d.  Feb.  23,  1781. 

52  Thomas  Potts,  b.  4  mo.  6,  1761;  d.  7  mo.  20,  1761. 

53  Sarah  Potts,  b.  9  mo.  30,  1762;  d.  March  8,  1784. 

54  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  5  mo.  20,  1765;  d.  0(5lober  20,  1782. 

55  William  Potts,  b.  5  mo.  30,  176S;  m.  Mary  Gardner. 

Children  ok  St.\cy  and  M.vrgaretta  (Y.ardley)  Potts. 

56  Thomas  Yardley  Potts,  b.  9  mo,  30,  1774:  d.  7  mo.  16,  1775. 

57  Samuel  Potts,  b.  11  mo.  15,  1775;  d,  9  mo.  25,  1776. 

58  Stacy  Potts,  b.  3  mo.  4,  1777;  d.  1831;  m.  Mary  Somers. 

59  Anna  Potts,  b.  2  mo.  20,  1779;  m.  William  Potts.  (71) 

60  Rebecca  Pott.s.  b.  Sept.  22,  1780;  m.  George  Sherman. 

61  Joseph  Potts,  b.  April  24,  1782;  m.  Sarah  Hillyer. 


20  Richard  Potts,*  (Thomas,'  Thomas,-  Thomas,^ 
Richard,*),  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Beakes)  Potts,  was 
born  Jan.  i,  1733.  He  resided  in  Upper  Freehold  Town- 
ship. Monmouth  County,  where  lie  was  a  considerable  land 
owner.  In  the  4th  month,  1755,  he  produced  a  Certificate 
from  Burlington  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  to  the  Month- 
ly Meeting  of  Chesterfield.  He  married  Rebecca  Arney, 
( daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Arney  ).  June  25,  1 755.  This 
marriage  seems  to  have  been  contrary  to  Friends  discipline, 
as  in  9  mo.,  1755,  he  made  an  acknowledgment  to  the  Ches- 
21 


i62  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 

lerfield  Meeting  on  ;icct)unt  of  inarria^^e.  In  the  6  month, 
1757,  Rebecca  l^otts  made  a  similar  acknowledgement.  She 
was  born  April,   i,  17:^7,  and  died  1801. 

He  died  sometime  subsequent  to  18 17.  His  will,  made 
vSept.  20.  1817,  and  proved  March  25.  1825,  is  recorded  at 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  Book  C,  page  51.  He  mentions 
sons  John,  William,  and  Stacy,  and  son  Thomas,  deceased  ; 
daughters  Mary  Wright,  Rebecca  Harris,  and  Elizabeth 
Cox;  grand-children  John  A,  Potts,  Richard  Potts,  Junr., 
and  the  children  of  daughters  Rebecca  Harris  and  Elizabeth 
Cox.  Executors  William  Potts  and  Richard  Potts.  Wit- 
ncs.ses  William  Potts,  Edward  Taylor,  Jr.,  and  John  A. 
Potts.  This  branch  is  sometimes  called  the  "  Monmouth 
Potts"." 

Chii^ukkx  ok  Richarj)  and  Rebecca  (Arney)  Potts. 

62  Thomas  Potts,  h,  Nov.  9,  1756;  d.  Jan.  22,  1813;  m.  vSarah  Ashton 

63  vSarah  Potts,    h.  May  8,  1758;  d.  Nov.  10,  1764. 

64  Joseph  Potts,   b.  Jan.  13,  1760;  d.  Nov.  6,  1764. 

65  John  Potts,  b.  Nov.  11,  1761;  d.  1826;  m.  Catharine . 

66  Mary  Potts,    b.  April  11,  1764;  d.  Dec.  i,  1764. 

67  Stacy  Potts,   b.  Nov.  i,  1766;  d.  July  8,  1823;  ni.  Anna  

68  Mary  Potts,  b.  Aug.  12,  176S;  m.  Joshua  Wright. 

69  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  Jan.  24,  1770;  m.  Harris. 

70  Sarah  Potts,  b.  Dec.  24,  1771;  d.  July  5,  1775. 

71  William  Potts,  b.    1773;   d.   1854;   m.  Anna  Potts.   {59) 

72  IClizabeth  Potts,   b.  Sept.  13,  177S;  m.  Cox. 


21  22  24  Ruth,  Mary,  and  Sarah  Potts,*  (Thom- 
as,'Thomas,'  Thomas.*  Richard,*),  daughters  of  Thomas 
and  vSarah  ( Beakes )  Potts.  In  giving  the  children  of 
Thomas  and  Sarah,  on  page  152,  a  mis-statement  was  print- 
ed, but  a  correclion  is  entered  in  a  foot-note  on  page  153. 

Ri'TH  Potts,  (21  ),  born  11  mo.  23,  1734-5;  married,  ist, 
William  John.son,  of  Philadelphia,  1759.  She  married,  2nd, 
Oliver  Paxton. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shikld),  and  Family.  163 

Mary  Potts,  (22),  born  i  mo.  15,  1736  ;  married  Isaac 
Horner,  1757  ;  and  died  5  mo.  31.  1776.  Re.sidence  King- 
wood,  (now )  Hunterdon  County.  N.  J.  She  was  a  minis- 
ter among  Friends.  Children,  i  Samuel,  2  Elizabeth,  3 
Sarah,   4  Lsaac,   5  Thomas,   6  Stacy.   7  Mary. 

Sarah  Potts,  (24),  born  10  mo.  14,  1740,  received  a 
Certificate  from  Chesterfield  Monthly  Meeting  to  Philadel- 
phia in  1764. 

29  Joshua  Potts,*  (Joshua,'  Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Rich- 
ard,"), was  probably  the  3'oungest  child  of  Rev.  Joshua  and 
Ann  (Borden )  Potts,  and  perhaps  born  after  Sep.  16,  1757, 
as  he  is  not  mentioned  in  his  father's  will  made  on  that  date. 
He  married  Mary  Bunting,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Kirkbride)  Bunting, '■=  of  Chesterfield  Township,  Bur- 
lington County.  On  January  7,  1785,  Thomas  Potts  and 
wife  "Alcey,"  executed  a  deed  of  gift  to  Joshua  Potts,  and 
on  Sep.  I,  1792,  Joshua  Potts  and  Mary  his  wife  sold  the 
vsame  land.f  In  the  afore-mentioned  deed  he  is  described  as 
"wheelwright."  It  is  said  that  he  removed  to  Arkansas 
and  died  about   1835. 

Chidren  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (Bunting)  Points. 

73  William  Potts.     No  further  account. 

74  Joseph  Potts,   d.  in  Missouri  leaving  a  son  Kirkbride. 

75  Kirkbride  Potts,  b.  Mar.  24,    1S03;  d.  Nov.  24,  1879;    m.   Pame- 

lia  Logan. 

76  Ann  Potts,   d.  about  1872,  at  Bordentown,  unmarried. 

77  Sarah  Potts. 

78  Ivvdia  Potts,   d.  about  1852;  m.  Stephen  D.  Lewis. 


*  Note.  Elizabeth  Kirkbride  wa.sa  daughter  of  Joseph  Kirkbride,  Jr.,  and  .sis- 
ter of  Col.  Joseph  Kirkbride. 

t  Note.  The  latter  deed  is  recorded  in  Liber  AR,  folio  29,  in  the  State  Depart- 
ment at  Trenton.  The  deed  of  gift  has  not  been  found  at  this  writing.  It  would 
very  likely  state  relationship  and  the  reason  for  the  gift.  Perhaps  it  was  for  a 
share  of  the  patrimony,  Joshua  not  having  been  provided  for  in  the  father's  will. 


1 64  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

30  Thomas  Potts,*  (Joshua,*  Thomas,* Thomas,' Rich- 
ard."), sou  of  Rev.  Joshua  and  Ann  ( )  Potts,  was  born 

.      He  married  Alice  Bunting,  daughter  John  Bunting. 

of  Chesterfield  Township,  Burlington  County.  The  state- 
ment printed  on  page  157,  that  he  married  Rebecca  King  is 
probably  incorredt,  unless  she  was  his  first  wife.  On  Jan. 
7,  1785,  Thomas  Potts  and  "Alcey,"  his  wife  executed  a 
deed  of  gift  for  land  to  Joshua  Potts,  as  before  stated. 

On  Nov.  II,  1791,  the  following  heirs,  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, of  the  late  John  Bunting  of  Chesterfield  Township  in 
Burlington  County,  to  wit.  William,  Benjamin,  and  Daniel 
Bunting,  and  Levi  Gibbs  and  Ann  his  wife,  John  Wood- 
mansee  and  Mary  his  wife,  and  Thomas  Potts  and  Alice  his 
wife,  all  of  New  Jer.sey,  join  in  a  quit-claim  deed  *  to  John 
Bunting  of  Frederick  County.  Marj-land,  also  a  son  of  John. 
John  Bunting  the  elder  became  seized  of  this  land,  by  the 
will  of  his  uncle  John  Bunting,  dated  Sep.  19,  1729,  — 156 
acres  of  unappropriated  land. 

Whether  Thomas  Potts  left  children  or  not  has  not  come 
to  the  notice  of  the  compiler. 


37  Ann  Potts,*  (William,'  Thomas,*  Thomas,^  Rich- 
ard,"), daughter  of  William  and  Amy  (Borden)  Potts,  was 
born  Feb.  13.  1757.  She  married  Gen.  James  Cox,  son  of 
Joseph  Cox.  He  was  born  1753  and  died  18 10.  Mrs.  Cox 
was  an  excellent  woman  and  a  devoted  wife  and  mother. 
While  on  her  way  from  Lamberton  to  Philadelphia  to  at- 
tend a  Baptist  meeting,  in  company  with  her  youngest  son, 
she  was  accidentally  drowned  in  the  Delaware  River,  by  the 
capsizing  of  the  ' '  Traveler' '  on  March  21,  1 8 1 5 .  She  was 
buried  in  the  Baptist  graveyard  at  Trenton.  The  True 
Americati,  of  Trenton,  published  a  long  account  of  the  ac- 
cident.    They  resided  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 


*  See  I.iber  AQ,  folio  367,  in  the  Department  of  State  at  Trenton. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  165 

Chii^drkn  of  Gen.  James  and  Ann  (Potts)  Cox. 

79  William  Cox,  b.  1777:  d.1803. 

80  Joseph  Cox,  b.  1778. 

81  Lewis  Cox,   b.  1780;  d.  1835. 

82  James  Cox,   b  1782. 

83  Amy  Cox,  b.  1783,  twin. 

84  Mary  Cox,  b.  1783,  twin. 

85  Thomas  Cox,  b.  1787. 

86  Rev.  Samuel  J.  Cox,  b.  1789.     He  was  a  Methodist  minister  at 

Zanesville,  Ohio. 

87  David  Cox,  b.  1792,  twin. 

88  Jonathan  Cox,  b.  1792,  twin. 

89  Ezekiel  Taylor  Cox,  b.  1795;  d.  1873;   ^-  Maria  Matilda  Sulli- 

van. Children,  i  Thomas  J.,*  2  Hon.  Samuel  S.,  3  Lavinia, 
4  Eliza,  5  Alexander,  6  Maria  Matilda,  7  Ezekiel,  8  Angelina, 
9  Edwin,  10  Augustus,  11  Elizabeth  Miles,  12  Mary  Sullivan, 
m.  Col.  T.  L.  Spangler. 

90  Morgan  Cox,  b.  1798;  d.  1881. 

91  Horatio  Cox,  b.  1801;  m.  Ann  Chambers.   Children,    i  Charles, 

2  Cora,  3  David,  4  Edward.  Was  Associate  Judge  of  Mus- 
kingum ConntA',  Ohio. 


38  William  Potts,*  (William,'  Thomas,*  Thomas, > 
Richard,"),  son  of  William  and  Amy  (Borden)  Potts,  was 
born  April  16,  1760.  He  was  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Mans- 
field Township,  Burlington  Count}-.  He  married  Rebecca 
Mounts  about  1785,  and  died  Nov.  30,  1796,  aged  36  years, 
5  months,  14  days.  Rebecca  was  born  in  1765,  and  died  in 
1858.  William  Potts  was  buried  in  the  Baptist  graveyard 
at  Borden  town. 

Rebecca  Potts,  the  widow,  subsequently  married  Vincent 
Wainwright,  by  whom  she  also  had  children. 

Chh,dren  of  W11.UAM  AND  Rebecca  (Mounts)  Potts. 
92     Aaron  Mounts  Potts,    b.  May  14,   1786;   m.    ist,   Mary  Harvey; 
m.  2d,  Rebecca  Aaronson. 

*  NOTE.     Mr.  William  V.  Cox,  son  of  Thomas  J.  Cox,  and  Chief  Clerk  in  the  Na- 
tional Museum  at  Washington,  D,  C.,  is  preparing  a  History  of  the  Cox  Family. 


1 66  Thp:  Potts  Family  in  America. 

93  Amy  Potts,   b.  Nov.  — ,  17S7;  d.  April  3,  1835;  unmarried. 

94  Samuel  Potts,  b.  1791;  d.  1826;  m.  Ann  Harvey,  1814. 

95  Ann  Potts,   b.  .\pril — ,  1794;  m.  P'lisha  Shreve,  1817.   Children, 

r  William,   2  Benjamin,  3  Rebecca,  m.  Jonathan  Gilbert. 

96  Mar\-  Potts,   b.  1795;  m.  John  Harvey.     Children,    i  William,   2 

Rebecca. 

97  Rebecca  Potts,   b.  1797. 


39  Mary  Potts/  (William,*  Thoma.s,' Thomas,' Rich- 
ard/'), dau.^hter  of  William  and  Amy  (Borden)  Potts,  was 
born  March  25,  1762.  vShe  married  Dr.  David  Eaton,  son 
of  Rev.  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Stout)  Eaton.  Odtober2i,  1784. 
They  settled  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  Dr. 
Eaton  became  a  highly  respected  and  prominent  physician. 

Dr.  Eaton  died  August  13,  181 3,  and  Mary,  his  widow, 
Augu.st  9,  1843.  They  lie  buried  in  the  London  Tracl  Bap- 
ti.st  gravej-ard,  in  London  Britain  Township,  Chester  Coun- 
t}-.  Their  ten  children  are  buried  in  ten  different  grave- 
yards, and  in  five  different  .states. 

Chilerex  of  Dr.  D.wid  .\nd  M.vrv  (Potts)  K.\tox. 

98  Amy  Eaton,  m.  Robert  Lockard. 

99  Rebecca  Eaton,  m.  Stephen  McGeath. 
io<5     Isaac  Eaton,   m.  Melvina  Craiij. 

loi  Pamelia  Eaton,  Samuel  Tavlor. 

102  Ann  Eaton,  m.  Jacob  Entriken. 

103  Mary  Eaton,  m.  Allen  Chandler. 

104  Eurie  Eaton,  m.  Dr.  John  C.  Handy. 

105  William  Eaton,  m.  Julia  Row. 

106  Elizabeth  Eaton,  Dr.  Thomas  H.  Davis. 

107  David  Eaton,  m.  Agnes  Avise. 


40  Joseph  Potts, <  (William,* Thomas,' Thomas,' Rich- 
ard,"), son  of  William  and  Amy  (Borden)  Potts,  was  born 
April  10,  1764.  He  was  a  respeclable  and  substantial  farm- 
er of  Burlington  County,   N.  J.     He  married,   first,   Sarah 


Thomas  Potts,  (vShield),  amd  Family.  167 

Carty,  by  whom  he  had  five  children.     He  married,  second, 
Mary . 

Children  ok  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Cartvj  Potts. 

T08     Benjamin  Potts,  m.  Mary  Carty.     They  left  a  son  Joseph  Potts, 

who  is  a  farmer  of  Burlington  County,  New  Jersey. 
J09     Joseph  Potts,   b.  1798;  d.  1S75;  m  Elizabeth  Allison, 
no     Thomas  Potts,   m.  Mary  A.  Scattergood. 

111  Sarah  Potts,   m.  Sylvanus  Zelley,   and  had  children,    1  Amy,   2 

Sarah,   3  David,  4  Joseph. 

112  Amy  Potts,    m.  Samuel  Sprague,  and  had  children,    i  Mary, 

m.  Theo.  Shoales;  •!  Aniy,  m.  Joseph  B.  Maxwell;  3  Joseph? 
4  Dr.  Edwin;  5  John  H. ;>6  vSarah,  m.  Johnson  Ross."^ 


41  Amy  Potts,*  (William,'  Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Rich- 
ard,"), daughter  of  William  and  Amy  (Borden)  Potts,  was 
born  July  26,  1767.  She  married  Thomas  Potts,  who  seems 
to  have  been  a  widower,  and  is  said  not  to  have  been  relat- 
ed to  her.  One  account  (from  the  family)  alleges  that  she 
did  not  marry  until  after  her  mother's  death,  and  when  she 
was  about  forty  3'ears  of  age,  and  that  she  had  no  children. 

When  the  Baptist  church  at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  was 
constituted  in  1799,  Thomas  Potts  was  received  by  a  letter 
from  New  Mills,*  and  Amy  Potts  by  a  letter  from  Jacobs- 
town.  On  Ocftober  5,  181 2,  they  were  dismissed  together 
to  the  Baptist  Church  at  Trenton  and  Lamberton,  and  in 
the  records  of  that  Church,  under  date  of  Sep.  12,  1812,  is 
the  following  entrj-.f 

Two  letters  from  our  sister  church  at  Burlington,  dismissing  and 
recommending  brother  Thomas  Potts  and  his  wife,  sister  Amy  Potts, 
and  Rachel  Thorn,  to  join  us,  were  read.  They  were  all  by  vote  unan- 
imously received. 

They  seem  to  have  settled  in  Lawrence  Township,  Hun- 


*  NoTK.  The  present  Pemberton,  in  Hunterdon  County,  was  known  as  "  New 
Mills,"  from  about  1752  to  1826. 

t  Note.  There  is  evidently  an  error  in  one  or  both  of  these  dates,  possibly 
made  in  transcribing. 


1 68  Thk  Potts  Family  in  America. 

terdon  County.  On  July  i6,  1816,  Thomas  Potts  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  office  of  Deacon.  He  is  reported  to  have  been 
an  excellent  man  and  a  zealous  Christian,  but  a  poor  finan- 
cier, and  died  leaving  his  widow  with  much  le.ss  property 
than  when  she  married  him.  He  died  Sep.  10,  1824,  leav- 
ing a  will  bearing  date  of  Sep.  6,  1824,  and  proven  Oct.  i. 
1824.  He  is  described  as  of  Lawrence  Township,  Hunter- 
don County,  N.  J.  He  mentions  wife  Amy,  and  three  sons. 
John,  William  and  Bloomfield  Potts.  Pvxecutors,  wife  Amy 
Potts  and  .son  William  Potts.  The  Church  books  contain 
the  following  obituary  notice  of  hiin. 

Departed  this  life  on  Friday  Morning  the  10  th  day  of  September, 
1824,  our  Beloved  and  highly  esteemed  Brother  Deacon  Thomas  Potts, 
in  the  63''  year  of  his  age.  His  remains  were  the  day  following  in- 
terred in  our  graveyard.     Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

Amy  Potts  was  a  woman  of  uncommon  vigor,  a  fine  con- 
versationalist, and  a  great  favorite  in  the  family.  In  1840, 
while  visiting  her  niece,  Mrs.  Mary  (Eaton)  Chandler,  in 
Che-ster  County,  Pennsylvania,  she  was  taken  ill  and  died 
there,  at  the  age  of  73  years.  She  was  buried  in  the  Lon- 
don Tradl  Baptist  graveyard.  The  Trenton  Baptist  Church 
books  contain  the  following  obituary  notice  of  her. 

Departed  this  life  on  Friday,  November  27,  1840,  our  dearly  beloved 
sister  Amy  Potts,  widow  of  our  late  Brother  Deacon  Thomas  Potts, 
aged  74  years.  She  had  been  56  years  a  member  of  a  Baptist  Church. 
Universally  beloved  and  respecfled  by  all  who  knew  her  for  her  amia- 
ble disposition,  consistent  Christian  deportment  and  zeal  for  the  cause 
of  Christ,  her  loss  is  deeply  felt  by  her  surviving  brethern  and  sisters 
of  the  Church,  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  relative.s  and  friends.  Her 
body  was  interred  at in  the  State  of  Delaware. 


55  AVilliam  Potts,*  (Stacy,* Thomas. 'Thomas, 'Thom- 
as,' Richard,'),  .son  of  Stacy  and  Esther  (Pancoast)  Potts, 
was  born  5  mo.  30,  1768.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Gardner 
daughter  of  Theopholis  Gardner,   of  Philadelphia,   August 


RA.CHIl;L   f  OTTS-DUHItlXG. 
PAGES    !<!!>,    Crs-^. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family,  169 

28,  1 791.  Mr.  Potts  was  educated  in  the  religious  teach- 
ings of  Friends,  while  his  wife  was  brought  up  in  the 
PresbN'terian  faith.  They  lived  for  some  time  in  Northum- 
berland County,  Pennsylvania,  probably  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  present  site  of  Bloomsburg,  in  what  is  now  Columbia 
County.  On  April  7,  1803.  Gov.  McKean  appointed  Wil- 
liam Potts,  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  Township  of 
Fishing  Creek.   The  family  returned  to  Trenton  about  18 10. 

Children  of  William  and  Mary  (Gardner)  Potts. 

113  Theopholis  G.  Potts.     A  Presbyterian  minister. 

1 14  Maria  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Lloyd. 

115  Stacy  Gardner  Potts,  b.  Nov.  23,  1800;  d.  April  9,  1865;  m.  ist, 

Ellen  E.  Burrows;    m.   2d,   Cornelia  How;    m.  3d,   Hannah 
Moore. 

116  Rev.  William  Stephens  Potts,  D.  D.,   b.  Odl.  13,  1802;  d.  Mar. 

20,  185 1 ;  m.  Ann  Benton. 

117  Joseph  Collins  Potts,  b.  1808;  d.  i88o;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth  Sher- 

man; m.  2d,  Mary  Phelan. 


58  Stacy  Potts, 5  (Stacy,*  Thomas,'  Thomas,*  Thomas, » 
Richard,*),  son  of  Stacy  and  Margaretta  (Yardley)  Potts, 
was  born  3  mo.  4,  1777.  He  married  Mary  Somers,  and 
seems  to  have  lived  in  Philadelphia.  He  died  in  1831. 
His  will  recorded  at  Philadelphia,  is  dated  Feb'y  23,  1831, 
and  proven  March  2,  of  the  same  year.  He  mentions  wife 
Mary,  and  "my  children." 

Children  of  Stacy  and  Mary  (Somers)  Potts.  gsD 

118  Charles  Potts,  m.  Jane  Boardley.  .APF^il^^^^ 

119  Mary  Ann  Potts,  m.  George  W.  Stephens. 

120  Maria  Potts,  m.  William  Evans. 

121  Emma  Potts,  m.  James  Willis. 

122  Sarah  Potts,  m.  Robert  C.  Thompson. 

123  Albert  Potts,  m. 

124  Esther  Potts. 

125  Rachel  Potts,  m.  Dr.  Duhring. 

22 


170  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

61  Joseph  Potts,'  (Stacy,*  Thomas,'  Thomas,*  Thom- 
as,' Richard,"),  son  of  Stacy  and  Margaretta  (Yardley) 
Potts,  was  born  April  24,  1782.     He  married  Sarah  Hillyer. 


Children  ok  Joseph  and  Sarah   (Hillyer)  Potts. 

126  Stacy  Potts. 

127  John  Potts,  m.  Mary  A.  Roscoe. 

1 28  Juliet  Potts. 

129  Euphemia  Potts. 

130  Emily  Potts,  m.  Kerr. 

131  Margaretta  Potts,  m.  Isaac  Woodruff. 

132  Joseph  Potts. 


62  Thomas  Potts/  (Richard,*  Thomas,'  Thomas,* 
Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of  Richard  and  Rebecca  (Arney) 
Potts,  was  born  Nov.  9,  1756.  He  married  Sarah  Ashton, 
Nov.  20,  1777.  Residence,  Upper  Freehold  Township, 
Monmouth  County.  He  died  January  22,  18 13.  His  will 
is  at  Freehold.  He  mentions  his  father  and  his  wife  and 
children,  as  also  his  brothers  John  and  Stacy  Potts.  Sarah 
his  widow  died  about  1844. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Ashton)  Potts. 

133  William  Potts. 

134  John  A.  Potts,  b.  i784;(?)  d.  1865;  m.  ist,  Rebecca  James;  m. 

2d,  Elizabeth  S.  Middleton. 

135  Richard  Potts,  m.  ist, ;  m.  2d,  Ann  Borden, 

136  Thomas  Potts. 

137  Samuel  Potts. 

138  Charles  J.  Potts,  b.  Feb.  13,  iSoi,  m.  Mary  R.  Potts.  ( ) 

139  Mary  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Rue. 


65     John  Potts,5  (Richard,*  Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Thom- 
as,' Richard,*),  son  of  Richard  and  Rebecca  (Arney)  Potts, 

was  born  Nov.  11,  1761.     He  married  Catharine . 

He  resided  on  North  Warren  Street,  Trenton,  in  the  house 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  171 

since  occupied  by  William  H.  Potts.  He  died  in  1826,  and 
in  his  will  mentions  wife  Catharine,  father  Richard,  sister 
Elizabeth  Coxe,  niece  Rebecca  Coxe,  and  his  sons  John  B. 
Potts  and  Edward  W.  Potts,  of  the  State  of  Louisiana.  He 
appoints  his  sons  as  Executors.  Edward  W.  Potts,  one  of 
executors,  was  sworn  Nov.  18,  1826. 

Children  of  John  and  Catharine  ( )  Potts. 

140  John  B.  Potts. 

141  Edward  W.  Potts. 


71  William  Potts/  (Richard,*  Thomas,'  Thomas,' 
Thomas,^  Richard,*),  son  of  Richard  and  Rebecca  (Arney) 
Potts,  was  born  August  28,  1773,  and  died  May  17,  1854. 
He  married  Anna  Potts,  (59).  daughter  of  Stacy  and  Mar- 
garetta  (Yardley)  Potts.     She  was  born  2  mo.  20,  1779. 

Children  of  William  and  Anna  (Potts)  Potts. 

142  George  S.  Potts,  m.  Mary  Burdsall. 

143  Elizabeth  Potts. 

144  James  Potts,  d.  y. 

145  Rebecca  S.  Potts. 

146  Margaretta  S.  Potts. 

147  William  Henry  Potts,  b.  1815;  m.  Hannah  Stephens. 

148  Thomas  Potts,  d.  y. 

149  Richard  Potts,  d.  y. 


75  Kirkbride  Potts, ^  (Joshua,*  Joshua,'  Thomas, - 
Thomas,^  Richard,"),  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (Bunting) 
Potts,  was  born  March  24,  1803,  and  died  Nov.  24,  1876. 
About  the  year  1821  he  went  to  Missouri,  and  in  1824  to 
Arkansas,  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Pope  County, 
which  is  now  occupied  by  his  sons  Joseph  and  James.  The 
post-office  is  named  Potts  Station  in  his  honor.  He  married 
Pamelia  Logan.  Feb.  — ,  1829.     She  died  Aug,  5,  1878. 


172  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Children  of  Kirkbride  and  Pameua  (Logan)  Potts. 

150  Sarah  Potts,  b,  1830;  d.  ;  m,  Da\nd  Maddox. 

151  Jo.seph  Potts,  b.  1832;   unm. 

152  Joshua  Potts. 

153  Lizzie  Potts,  b.  1836;  ni.  H.  M.  Garden. 

154  Richard  Potts,   ni.  lybbie  Smith.     Has  two  daughters. 

155  Thomas  Potts. 

156  James  Potts,  m.  Ada  Bradley,  1878. 
[57  John  Potts. 

158  Charles  Potts. 


92  Aaron  Mounts  Potts,*  (William,* William,' Thom- 
as,* Thomas,'  Richard,*),  eldest  son  of  William  and  Rebecca 
(Mounts)  Potts,  was  born  May  14,  1786.  He  was  twice 
married.  He  married  as  his  finst  wife,  Mary  Har\^ey,  in 
1816.  She  did  not  long  survive,  dying  in  18 17.  He  mar- 
ried, second,  Rebecca  Aaronson,  Jan.  27,  1824.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Pitman)  Aaronson.  She 
was  born ,  and  died  Sep.  16,  1875. 

Aaron  M,  Potts  purchased  a  tradl  of  land  at  Johnstown, 
Pa.,  and  in  1831  he  started  in  a  two-horse  wagon,  intending 
to  go  to  his  land  and  settle  there.  On  the  way  he  stopped 
at  Pottsville  to  visit  some  of  his  wife's  relatives,  who  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  abandon  his  western  trip  and  take  up 
his  residence  at  Pottsville.  Here  he  engaged  in  business 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  Jan.  26,  1864. 

Children  of  Aaron  Mounts  and  Rebecca  (Aaronson)  Potts. 

159  Mary  Harvey  Potts,  b.  Aug.  21,  1825;  d.  Jan.  28,  1895;   m.  Jo- 

nas Womer,  1847.     Children,     i  Charles  M.,    2  Frances,    3 
Emma,  4  Albert,  5  William. 

160  Elizabeth  Aaronson  Potts,    b.  Jan.  29,  1827;    m.  Washington 

Beck,  1865.     Children,   1  Elmer  E.,   2  Charles  C. 

161  William  Wainright  Potts,    b.  1831;  d.   1S93;    m.   ist,   Mary  J. 

Welsh;   m.  2d,  Eliza  Noble. 

162  Charles  Pitman  Potts,  b.  Jan.  22,  1836;  m.  Sara  E.  Sinclair. 

163  Rebecca  Frances  Potts,  b.  Sept.  9,  1840;  m.  Harrison  Ryland. 

Children,   i  Jennie,  m.  Eugene  B.  Carter,  2  Sarah. 

164  Sarah  Anna  Potts,  b.  August  6,  1S43. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  173 

94  Samuel  Potts,'  (William,*  William, =*  Thomas,* 
Thomas,*  Richard,''),  son  of  William  and  Rebecca  (Mounts) 
Potts,  was  born  June  — ,  1791,  and  died  Sep.  — ,  1826.  He 
married  Ann  Harvey,  Ocflober  20,  18 14.     She  died,  1870. 

Children  of  Samuel  and  Ann  (Harvey)  Potts. 

165  William  Potts,  b.  Sep.  3,  1S15;  m.  Louisa  Middleton.     N.  1. 

166  Lawrence  Minor  Potts,  m. .     Children,    Rebecca,  Mary. 

167  Mary  Potts. 

168  Rebecca  Potts. 

169  Peter  Harvey   Potts. 

170  Anna  Potts. 


109  Joseph  Potts,'  (Joseph,*  Joseph,' Thomas,*  Thom- 
as,* Richard,"),  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Carty)  Potts,  was 
born  Sept.  — ,  1798,  and  died  May  13,  1875.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Allison.  The  widow  and  family  live  at  Dobbins, 
Burlington  County,  New  Jersey. 

Children  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Allison)  Potts. 

171  Thomas  Potts. 

172  Charles  Potts. 

173  Elizabeth  Ann  Potts. 

174  Sarah  A.  Potts. 

175  Amy  Lilly  Potts. 

176  John  Allison  Potts. 

177  Joseph  B.  Potts. 

178  George  F.  Potts. 

110  Thomas  Potts,'  (Joseph,*  Joseph, 'Thomas,' Thom- 
as,' Richard,"),  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Carty)  Potts, 
married  Mary  A.  Scattergood. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Mary  A.  (Scattergood)  Potts. 

179  Jane  T.  Potts,    m.  Joseph  Hancock.     Children,    i  Charles,    2 

Joshua,  3  George,  4  Caleb,   5  Mary  Ann. 

180  Edward  F.  Potts,  m.  Julia  Potts.  (215) 

181  Sarah  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Johnson.     Children,  i  Thomas,  2  Aa- 

ron, 3  Albert,  4  Hannah,  5  Joseph. 


174  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

115  Judge  Stacy  Gardner  Potts/  (William,*  Stacy/ 
Thomas,'  Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Richard,*),  son  of  William 
and  Mary  (Gardner)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  23,  1800.  He 
became  editor  of  the  Ewporiiim,  a  weekly  newspaper  of 
Trenton,  in  182 1,  and  contributed  to  other  periodicals.  He 
commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  StO(fton,  but  finished 
with  Garrett  D.  Hall,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1827,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1828-9.  K*^  became 
Clerk  of  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  in  1831,  and  held  the  of- 
fice for  ten  years,  retiring  then  on  account  of  delicate  health. 
He  was  a  Commissioner  to  revise  the  laws  of  New  Jersey  in 
1845,  became  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  1852,  and 
retired  in  1859.  In  1844  Princeton  College  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  He  was  acftive  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  at  different  times  con- 
ne(5led  with  its  various  Boards,  being  Chairman  of  the  Fi- 
nance Committee  in  1851.  He  was  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Trenton.  After  leaving  the 
bench,  he  devoted  himself  to  literary  pursuits.  His  publi- 
cations include, 

1  Village  Tales,   by  Oliver  Oakwood.     (Phila.      1827.) 

2  Precedeyits  and  Notes  of  Praflice  of  the  Court  of  Chayi- 
cery  of  Neiv  fersey.      (Phila.      1841.) 

He  left  in  MS.  a  work  entitled,    Christ  in  Revelation. 

He  was  three  times  married.  He  married,  first,  Ellen  E. 
Burrows,  .second,  Cornelia  How,  and  third.  Hannah  Moore. 
He  died  April  9,  1865,  in  the  65th  year  of  his  age,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Presbyterian  graveyard,  on  State  Street,  near 
Tresse  Street,  Trenton. 

Children  of  Stacy  G.  and  ElivEn  E.  (Burrows)  Potts. 

1S2  Mary  Potts,  ni.  Andrew  R.  Titus. 

183  Ellen  Potts.     Twice  married. 

184  Gardner  !>.  Potts,   b.  1830;  d.   1851. 

185  Stacy  Potts,  h.  June  10,  1834;  d.  March  21,1858. 

186  Anne  Potts,  m.  Dr.  Helm. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  amd  Family.  175 

116  Rev.  William  Stephens  Potts,  D.  D.,«  (Wil- 
liam,* Stacy,*  Thomas,'  Thomas,*  Thomas,^  Richard," ),  son 
of  William  and  Mary  (Gardner)  Potts,  was  born  0(5lober 
13,  1802.  When  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Trenton  New  Jersey.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he 
was  sent  to  Philadelphia  to  learn  the  printer's  trade.,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  made  a  profession  of  religion  and  deter- 
mined to  enter  the  gospel  ministry.  He  began  his  prepara- 
tory studies  in  1822,  under  the  tuition  of  Rev.  Ezra  E.  Ely, 
and  entered  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  in  1825,  but  on 
account  of  impaired  health  was  compelled  to  leave  the  Sem- 
inary in  November,  1827.  He  was  at  once  licensed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  and  sent  on  a  mission  through 
the  Southern  States  with  instrucSlions  to  make  his  way  to 
St.  Louis,  He  made  the  journey  on  horseback  and  reached 
St.  L,ouis  six  months  later.  Here  he  ministered  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  Odiober,  1828,  was  installed  as 
its  pastor.  In  1835  he  became  President  of  Marion  College, 
Missouri,  and  in  1839  accepted  a  call  to  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  of  St.  Louis,  where  he  continued  to  minister 
until  his  death.  He  is  said  to  have  had  a  "  clear,  cool,  log- 
ical, and  well-balanced  mind,"  and  while  not  a  brilliant  or- 
ator was  very  successful  in  spiritual  work,  and  ' '  his  influ- 
ence in  St.  Louis  and  throughout  Missouri,  grew  in  potency 
to  the  end  of  his  life. ' '  He  married  Ann  Benton  but  left  no 
children.  The  Encydopcedia  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ( 1 884) 
contains  an  excellent  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  Potts,  and 
closes  as  follows, 

In  the  midst  of  a  series  of  special  meetings  in  his  church,  seeking 
an  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  his  frail  body  gave  way,  and  after  a 
protra<5led  confinement  to  his  bed,  he  went  to  be  with  Jesus  on  the 
morning  of  Sunday,  March  28,  1852,  while  the  church  bell  was  ring- 
ing for  the  Sabbath  School  to  assemble. 


117     Joseph  Collins  Potts, «  (William,*  Stacy,*  Thom- 
as,' Thomas,*  Thomas,*  Richard,*),  son  of  William  and  Ma- 


176  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ry  (Gardner)  Potts,  was  born  1808,  and  died  1880.  He 
was  a  lawyer.  He  married,  first,  Elizabeth  Sherman,  and 
second,  Mary  Phelan,  June  24,  1857. 

Children  of  Joseph  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Sherman)  Potts. 

187  William  Sherman  Potts. 

188  Anna  M.  Potts,  m.  Joseph  Lloyd. 

189  Benjamin  Coates  Potts,    b.  1842;   m.  Martha  Flagg. 

190  Olivia  Potts. 

191  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  Joseph  Coates. 

192  Joseph  C.  Potts. 

193  Ella  Potts,  m.  Edward  Coates. 

194  Margaretta  Potts,  m.  Dorsey  Gardner. 

Child  of  Joseph  C.  and  Mary  (Pelan)  Potts. 

195  Stacy  Potts. 


n8  Charles  Potts,"  (Stacy, »  Stacy,''  Thomas,' Thom- 
as,' Thomas,*  Richard,*),  son  of  Stacy  and  Mary  (Somers) 
Potts,  married  Jane  Boardley. 

Children  of  Charles  and  J.\ne  (Bo.\rdlev)  Potts. 

196  Marj'  Potts. 

197  Emma  Potts. 

198  Charles  Potts. 
196     Boardley  Potts. 


123  Albert  Potts,"  (Stacy,' Stacy,*  Thomas,' Thomas,* 
Thomas,*  Richard,*),  son  of  Stacy  and  Mary  (Somers) 
Potts,  married  and  left  children. 

Children  of  Albert  and ( )  Potts. 

200  Stacy  Potts. 

201  Adele  Potts. 

202  Newton  Potts. 


134    John  A.  Potts,*    (Thomas,*   Richard,*  Thomas.' 
Thomas,'  Thomas,*  Richard,*),  .son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 


PACKS    17G    AND   632 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  177 

(Ashton)  Potts,  was  born  1784  (?).  He  resided  in  Upper 
Freehold  Township,  Monmouth  County,  and  was  possessed 
of  a  good  esta  te.  He  was  twice  married  ;  first  to  Rebecca 
James,  and  second  to  Elizabeth  S.  Middleton.  He  died  in 
1865,  leaving  a  will  which  is  recorded  in  the  Surrogate's  of- 
fice at  Freehold. 

Children  ok  John  A.  and  Rebecca  (James)  Potts. 

203  Eliza  Potts,  m.  Robert  Miller.    Children,    i  George  W.,   2  Em- 

ma,   3  Mary  Ann. 

204  Sarah  Potts,  m.  William  Cox.      Child,   Virginia,    m.   William 

Marston. 

205  Oliver  Potts,  m.  Martha .      Children,   i  James,   2  Annie, 

3  Catharine,  4  Virginia,  5  Emily,   6  Ida,  7  Olivia. 

206  Nelson  Potts,  m.  Jane  .     Children,    i  MaryE.,   2  Lvdia, 

3  Charles,  4  Martha,  5  Lydia. 

207  Richard  Potts,  m.  Mary  Anne  Fields.      Children,   r  Emma,    2 

Samuel,  3  John,  4  Caroline,  5  Susan,    6  Richard. 

208  Emily  Potts. 

209  Mary  Potts,  m.  Charles  Nelson. 

210  Catharine  Potts,  m.  Charles  Jagennan. 

Chidren  of  John  and  Elizabeths.  (Middleton)  Potts. 

211  John  Potts,  d.  y. 

212  Peter  Potts,  d.  y. 

213  Christiana  Potts,  m.  Horatia  Mounts. 

214  Julia  A.  Potts,  m.  Edward  H.  Potts,  (180). 

215  Rebecca  Potts,  m.  Asher  Quigley. 

135  Richard  Potts,*  (Thomas,*  Richard,*  Thomas,' 
Thomas,'  Thomas,'  Richard,*),  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Ashton)  Potts,  was  twice  married.  The  name  of  the  first 
wife  has  not  been  furnished.  He  married  for  his  second 
wife,  Ann  Borden. 

Children  oe  Richard  and ( )  Potts. 

216  Ellen. 

217  Annie  Potts,  m.  James  I/awrence. 

218  Derrick  Potts. 

219  Benjamin  Potts. 
as 


17S  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Children  ok  Richard  and  Ann  (Borden)  Potts. 

220  Kdward  Potts. 

221  Lucy  Potts. 

222  Emma  Potts. 

223  Mclvina  Potts. 

224  Ivi//.ie  Potts. 


138  Charles  J.  Potts, «  (Thomas,'  Richard/ Thomas.* 
Thomas,^  Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah 
(Ashton)  Potts,  was  born  February  14,  1801.  Remarried 
Mary  R.  Potts,  daughter  of  Major  William  Potts,*  of  Bur- 
Jiugton,  New  Jersey.  Mary  R.  Potts  was  born  December 
22,  1800.     Both  died  while  their  ch  Idren  were  young. 

Children  of  Charles  J.  and  Mary  R.  (Potts)  Potts. 

225  Melvina  Potts. 

226  Louisa  Potts. 

227  Margaret  Potts,   m.  Isaac  James. 

228  Deborah  Potts. 

229  Lydia  Potts. 


142  George  S.  Potts,'  (William,'  Richard,*  Thomas,' 
Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of  William  and  Anna 
(Potts)  Potts,  married  Mary  Burdsall. 

Children  of  George  S.  and  Mary  (  Burd.sall)  Potts. 

230  Anna  Potts. 

231  Caroline  Potts,  m.  Augustus  Van  Cleve.     Son,   Benjamin. 

232  Laura  Potts,  m.  George  Barnes.     Daughter,  Jenny. 

233  EUza  Potts,  m.  Luther  Stryker.     Daughter,   Eva  Lillian. 

234  Emma  Potts,  m.  William  Schenk  Hunt.      Children,    i  George 

S.  P.,   2  Annie  S.,  3  Marian,  4  Bessie. 

235  Cieorge  S.  Potts,  m.  Esther  Peasley.      Children,     i    Mabel,     2 

Peasley,  3  Roy,  3  Esther. 

236  W.  Burdsall  Potts,  m.  Louie  PM-sher.      Children,   i  William,   2 

Joseph,  3  Walter,  4  Morris. 

*  NOTK.  Maj.  William  I'otts  has  not  been  identified  at  this  writing.  His  de- 
.scendants  and  collateral  relatives  state  that  he  was  a  cousin  of  some  degre*-  of 
Charles  J.  Potts'  father.     Later  investigation  may  show  his  affiliation. 


I^iEUT.  Com.  Sta-C'y  £*otts,  \J.  S.  N. 
Annat-olis,  IVId. 

PACJES    17ii,    (i-.l-^. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family.  179 

237  Morris  Potts,  d.  y. 

238  Florence  Potts,  m.  Jacob  Perry.     Children,   i  George  S.,   2  Al- 

ice, 3  Ethel. 

239  Marian  Potts,  m.  John  Green.      Children,     i  James  B.,    2  Lil- 

lian, 3  Russell  W.,  4  Marian,   5  DeWitt  Clinton. 

^%  William  Henry  Potts,  (William,*  Richard,* Thom- 
as,'Thomas,  Thomas,' Richard,*),  son  of  William  and  An- 
na (Potts)  Potts,  was  born  1815.  He  married  Hannal\ 
Stephens.  I^ike  some  of  his  ancestors  he  carried  on  the  bus- 
iness of  tanning,  but  afterwards  engaged  in  the  manufactory 
of  pottery.  Residence,  No.  225  North  Warren  Street,  Tren- 
ton, New  Jersey. 

Children  ok  Wilijam  K.  and  Hannah  (Stephens)  Potts. 

240  J.  Herbert  Potts,  m.  Louisa  Bechtell.     Children,    i  Ethel  S.,   2 

Edwin  B.,  3  Elizabeth. 

241  William  Henry  Potts,  Jr.,    m.  Lavinia  Lippincott.      Children, 

I  Alice  G.,  2  Isabel  W. 

242  Anna  S.  Potts. 

243  Henrietta  Potts,  m.  Charles  Gray.     vSon,   Charles  M. 

244  Isabella  Potts. 

156  James  Potts, «  (Kirkbride,*  Joshua,*  Joshua, ^ 
Thomas,'  Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of  Kirkbride  and  Panie- 
lia  (Logan)  Potts,  was  born  in  Pope  County,  Arkansas. 
He  married  Ada  Bradley  in  1878.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  business  in  Russellville,  Ark. ,  for  sometime,  but 
has  latterly  resided  on  the  homestead  farm  near  Potts-Sta- 
tion in  Pope  County. 

CH11.DREN  OF  James  and  Ada  (  Bradi,ey)  Potts. 

245  Loraine  Potts. 

246  Le  Vauche  Potts. 

247  Sarah  Potts. 

248  Grace  Potts. 

249  Mary  Potts. 

250  Pamelia  Potts. 

251  Vestal  Potts. 


!8o  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

157  John  Potts,*  (Kirkbride,' Joshua,'' Joshua,'  Thom- 
as,' Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of  Kirkbride  and  Pamelia 
(IvOgan)  Potts,  married  and  lives  at  Atkins,  Arkansas. 

Chii,dren  ok  John  and ( )  PoTTS. 

252  Josephine  Potts. 

253  Clara  Potts. 

254  Terriiie  Potts. 


161  William  Wainwright  Potts,*  (Aaron  M.,*  Wil- 
liam,* William,'  Thomas,^  Thomas,'  Richard,"),  son  of 
Aaron  Mounts  and  Rebecca  (Aaronson)  Potts,  was  born 
June  10,  1831.  He  married,  first,  Mary  J.  Welsh,  May  — , 
1853.  She  died  May,  1871.  He  married,  second,  Eliza 
Noble,  Dec.  3,  1873.  He  was  an  iron  worker  by  occupa- 
tion. He  served  in  the  Civil  War  as  Captain  of  Company 
D,  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  After  the 
War  he  kept  a  hotel.     He  died  Jan.  21,  1893. 

Children  of  William  \V.  and  Mary  J.  (Welsh)  Potts. 

255  Elizabeth  A.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  31,  1854;  m.  Frederick  C.  Herring. 

1876.     Children,  i  Marian,   2  Cylus,  3  Elizabeth,  4  Florence, 
5  Mary,  6  Harvey. 

256  Aaron  Harvey  Potts,  b  Dec.  i,  1855. 

257  William  Burnside  Potts,    b.  May  18,  1862;    m.  Flora  Tipton; 

Sep.  7,  1886.     Residence,  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 

258  Emma  Rebecca  Potts,    b.    May   4,    1866;    m.   Evan  T.  Jones. 

Children,   i  William  Potts,   2  Marian,  3  Evan  Harvey. 

259  Carrie  May  Potts,  b.  .■^ug.  10,  1868;  m.  Geo.  E.  Sullivan,  1893. 

Children,   i  Mary. 

Children  of  William  W.  and  Eliza  (Noble)  Potts. 

260  Lilian  Noble  Potts,  b.  Sep.  4,  1874;  m.  Frank  H.  Bowen,  1895. 

261  John  Charles  Potts,  b.  Nov.  20,  1876. 

262  Mary  Noble  Potts,  b.  May  6,  1880. 

263  Samuel  Noble  Potts,  b.  Nov.  27,  1881. 

264  vSarah  Wynn  Noble  Potts,  b.  July  15,  1884. 

265  Fredwynn  Noble  Potts,  b.  August  2,  1S91. 


PAGES    17<i.    lJ:?li. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  Family,  i8i 

162  Charles  Pitman  Potts/  (Aaron  Mounts,*  Wil- 
iam,*  William, 3  Thomas,'  Thomas,^  Richard,"),  son  of  Aa- 
ron and  Rebecca  (Aaronson)  Potts,  was  born  Jan.  22,  1836, 
at  Pottsville,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  Civil  War,  he  entered 
the  army  as  a  private  in  April,  1861,  going  out  with  the  first 
troops  that  entered  the  U.  S.  service.  He  was  eledled  a 
Lieutenant  of  Company  I,  151st  Regiment,  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers,  in  1862;  detailed  to  command  Company  C,  in 
June,  1863;  and  taken  prisonor  at  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg. 
He  was  nine  months  in  Libby  Prison,  three  months  at  Ma- 
con, Georgia,  and  three  months  at  Charleston,  South  Car- 
olina, under  fire  of  our  own  guns,  also  five  months  at  Col- 
umbus, S.  C, — in  all  nearly  twenty  one  months.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  March  12,  1865,  and  reached  home 
March  2 1 .  He  has  the  honor  of  being  one  of  the  ' '  First 
Defenders ' '  of  the  late  war.  He  is  by  occupation  a  cloth- 
ing cutter.  He  resides  at  Pottsville,  Pa. ,  where  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  City  Council.  He  married  Sara  Estelle 
Sinclair,  May  13,  i860,  at  Pottsville. 

Children  of  Chari^es  P.  and  Sara  E.  (Sin  Clair)  Potts. 

266  Mary  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Novem.  10,  1S61;   m.  Louis  H.  Tous- 

saint,  of  Rio  Vista,  Florida,  March  15,  1894. 

267  Aaron  Lippincott  Potts,    May  21,  1869;   m.  Mary  Bender,  July 

3,  1895.     Children,    i  William  Charles. 

268  Abby  Lippincott  Potts,    b.  Aug.  28,  1870. 

269  Clara  Frances  Potts,  b.  June  12,  1872. 

270  Charles  Gray  Potts,   b.  June  28,  1874. 

271  Edwin  Sinclair  Potts,  b.  February  10,  1876. 

272  Martha  Washington  Potts,  b.  February  22,  1878. 


180  Edward  F.  Potts, «  (Thomas,*  Joseph,*  William,' 
Thomas,*  Thomas,'  Richard,*),  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
A.  (Scattergood)  Potts,  was  born  1821,  and  married  Julia 
A,  Potts,  (214)  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Elizabeth  S. 
(Middleton)  Potts,  of  Monmouth  County,  New  Jersey. 


1 82  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Children  of  Edward  F.  and  Juwa  A.  (Porrs)  Potts. 

273  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  R.  Shannon  Haines.    Residence,  Roncocas, 

Burlington  County,  N.  J.      Children,    i  John  E.,    2  Julia  P. 

274  Mary  Potts,    d.  y. 

275  John  Potts,  m.  first,  Clara  W.  Haines;   second,  Ida  Coleman. 

Children,   Henry  C. 


The  Chart.  Facing  this  page  is  given  a  Chart,  show- 
ing the  descendants  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  to  the  fifth 
generation.  Female  lines  are  not  carried  down,  and  those 
of  the  male  lines  may  not  be  complete. 


THOMAS  POTTS^SHIELD)_ 


rkichard  Hoiis 

|-»ebfcca  Potts    Thomas  Cox 

-■^.nn  Hotts- William  Kolwell 


:{' 


RKHA«1»  POTT -ANNE 

ChwtCTfifld.  Derbyshire,  Eng.) 


-Elizabeth  Pott 
-Thomas  Pott,  d.  y. 
-Samuel  Pott 
-Maria  Pott 
-Joshua  Pott 


•Thomas  Potts  -Joaui 

(Shield) 


-Auiia  Pott 


-Thomas  Potts-=  Mary  Records—  ' "  '''^'""' Po"''    Sarah  Beakt 


lathaniel  Potts=Susnuim 

(Kiillam 


3— Grace  Farmer 


4    Alice  Pusser 


Anna  Pott 


Uary  Potts    Johu  Cox- 


aseph  Kolwell 

nomas  Folwell 
-^ohii  Kolwell 
-Sarah  Kolwell 

Stacy  PotU  KsUur  l-„,u-,Msi- 
J  MarK  I  Ynrdley- 
J-Mis    Mary  BtjyJ 


-Kichiird  Potts     Kilicccu  Arucv  - 

-Ruth  Potts     Williiini  Johnson 
-Mury  Polls     Isnuc  llorncr 
-Tlioinas  Potts,  il    v. 
-Sarah  I  "oils 

-lames  Cox 
-willinnj  Cox 
-Mary  Cox 
-CatliurincCox 


-Marv  Pottn. 

Thoniak  l\>tU 

Sarah  Poll*. 
-KUmbeth  Pot;». 
-William    Maiv  Gardner. 


55 


3    Marv  Borden 


3^  Rebecca  Wright 
(nee  Stacy)  I 


Jishua  Potts -Anne  Bonltn- 


-V(illiara  Potts    Amy  ilorden 


e^t£^'^""-"t;i'v'^^;;>,^'"\^^  is  be^eved  to  he 
r»*«njfe*''«'>*e«iacVin^W. ,,'"•"  '^"'  Particulars  the 
5ll?l  Tb  ,h!",">  <^nvind„'"«,J'      'h«;"rcnn.slantial evidence 


Joshua  Polls     Mary  IluntiuK  — 
PhoniBs  polls     Aliic  Hunting 
■Aniv  Polls     l.nwH-iiic  Tiiylor 
Mary  Polls 
Anne  Poll> 
Al.iKnil  Polls 
Rrbcccn   Polls 
lianinih  Polls 

Ann  Polls     Jiiiurs  Cox — - 


Pauicliu 

ll.oKBii    75 


William  Potts- Rebecca  Monnls- 


-Mary  Potts ^Ur.  David  Katon- 


Joseph  Potm    Sarah  Carty 
Amy  Pott«-=  Thomas  Potts 


-ThoniHs  Yar«.r<->   Potts. 
-Snnnicl  I'olls 

-Stacy  ISjlt-  M.tx  Soiuers.  SS 
-Aana  Polls  v  illUm  Potts.  7< 
-Rc»>ccc«  Toll*  Ccornc  Sherman 
-Joseph  P.tls     S;iu«h  Hillyor      6l 

Thomas  Potts    s.uah  .\shlon    6i 
Sarah  Pol  in 

ilMC|>h    Pl.llS. 
ohn  Polls    CHtharine 65 
linrv  Polls 

-Slacv  I'olu     j««na   

-Marv  IVnis     Joahuu  Wright. 
-Relieiva  I'otta        —  Hams. 
-Sarah  Poll*. 

-Wllllnin  Potla    Anna  Potts.       71 
Klitabcih  PoKm Cox. 


William  Polls 
-Joseph  l*oll» 
-kirkbride  Poll 
-Ann  Potti. 

Sarah  Polli«. 
-l.yilia  PoitM    Stephen  U.  I.ewiM 

-William  Cox. 
-loHcuh  Cox. 
-Lewis  Cox. 
-Jameit  Cox. 
-Amy  Cox. 
-Mary  Cox. 
-ThoniHN  Cox. 
-Sanniel  J.  Cox 
-David  Cox. 
-Jonathan  Cox 
-KzekicI  Cox. 
-MurKiiii  Cox. 
-Ilorulio  Cox, 

Aaron  M.  Poii>     Mary  liarvcy. 
1  ■  Keb<  .-cu  AaronMon.    1 

Amy  I'olts 

-Siimncl  Pulls     ,\nn  Harvey.      ( 
-Ann  Polls    Pllshii  Hhreve. 
-Mary  Potts    John  Harvey. 
-Rebecca  i'oiis. 


-Amy  Kalon     lotierl  l.ockurd. 
-Rebecca  Kati  f     "^teph.  M'C.eath. 
-Isaac  IvHton     '»  ■'••;i»n  Craig. 
-Puinelia  I'.iiloi-     .--,,.  iii'.lel  Taylor. 
-.\nii  l'.iitoii     ji(col)  lOililken. 
-Marv  Eaton     .\lleii  Chandler. 
-Kurfe  Katoii     Ur.  j   C.  Handv. 
-William  I'.alon    Julia  Row, 
-Elizabeth  Eaton    Th.  H.  David. 
-David  Eaton     Agnes  Avise. 

-Benjamin  Pottn     Mriry  Carty. 
-Io».  Potts    Eli-..  I :.  Allison       109 
-  Thomas  potts     vr  ,iy  a 

[■v.  alltrgood     110 
-Amy  Potts    SHmnel  Sprague. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  amd  Family.  183 


Supplementary  Data. 


41  Amy  Potts.  [See  page  167,  ante].  The  will  of 
Amy  Potts,  of  Mansfield,  is  recorded  in  the  Surrogate's  Of- 
fice at  Mt.  Holly,  Burlington  County,  in  Will-Book  E,  page 
551.  It  is  dated  April  29,  1839,  and  proven  Mar.  31,  1841. 
In  this  will  she  makes  mention  of 

Sister  Mary  Eaton. 

Five  daughters  of  sister  Mary  Eaton,  viz:  Rebecca  Me- 
gerth,  Ann  Entrican,  Pamelia  Logan,  Mary  Chandler,  Eli- 
za ChincwithC?).    '^          ' 

Elizabeth  McKeever  "  daughter  of  my  niece  Amy  Lock- 
hart,  and  the  two  sons  of  my  niece  Uree  Handy." 

Nieces  and  nephews,  vSarah  Zilley,  Amy  Sprague,  Ann 
Shreve,  Mary  Harvey,  Rebecca  Potts,  Joseph  Potts,  Aaron 
Potts,  Morgan  Coxe,  and  Amy  Bateman. 

Eliza  Potts,"  wife  of  my  step  son  William  Potts." 

William  Eaton  and  Jacob  Entrican. 

She  also  makes  a  bequest  to  the  General  Convention  of 
the  Baptist  Denomination. 

The  mention  of  her  step  son  shows  clearly  that  her  hus- 
band had  been  previously  married,  and  that  the  children 
mentioned  in  his  will  were  by  a  former  wife. 


There  were  several  persons,  of  the  name,  living  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  descendants  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  but 
whether  related  or  not  has  not  been  determined. 

Among  marriage  licenses  recorded  in  the  Ofiice  of  the 
Secretary  of  State,  at  Trenton,  are  the  following, 


1 84  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

January  2,  1750,  Abraham  Potts,  of  Burlington,  and  Mary  Lee,  of 
Burlington. 

Dec.  28,  1769.     Joseph  Potts,  of  Bordentown,  and  Elizabeth  Moore. 
Sep.  13,  1777.     Thomas  Potts,  of  Mansfield,  and  Rebecca  King. 

At  Mt.  Holly,  the  County  Seat  of  Burlington  County, 
marriage  licenses  are  recorded  from  1795  forward.  Among 
tho.se  of  the  name  of  Potts,  not  accounted  for,  are  these, 

April  22,  181 1.     Robert  G.  Potts  and  Sarah  vStiles. 
Dec.  3,  1842.     James  Potts  and  Maria  Steel. 


Joseph  Potts.  A  marriage  license  was  issued  to  Joseph 
Potts,  of  Bordentown,  Dec.  28,  1769,  to  marry  Elizabeth 
Moore.  The  bondsman  was  John  Van  Emburgh,  of  Bor- 
dentown, and  the  witnesses  Peggy  Moore  and  Polly  Potts. 

' '  The  Inventory  of  Damages  Sustained  by  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  County  of  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  from  the 
havoc  of  the  British  Army,  from  December  1776  to  August 
1 781."  filed  in  the  State  Department  at  Trenton,  contains 
an  account  of  goods  valued  at  ^50  8  4,  the  property  of  Jo- 
seph Potts,  taken  from  the  store  of  Joseph  Borden,  at  Bor- 
dentown, Dec.  1776. 

Joseph  Borden,  in  his  will  dated  April  10,  1787,  makes  a 
bequest  to  "my  friend  Joseph  Potts  ^100  as  an  acknowl- 
edgment for  his  faithful  services  done  as  well  while  my  ap- 
prentice as  since. ' ' 

Elizabeth  Borden,  widow  of  Joseph  Borden,  deceased,  in 
her  will  dated  Sep.  15,  1798,  makes  a  bequest  to  Elizabeth 
Potts,  widow  of  Joseph  Potts. 

Thomas  Potts  On  August  24,  18 19,  letters  of  admin- 
istration were  granted  by  the  Surrogate  of  Burlington 
County,  to  Thomas  Nutt  and  John  Blakeley  upon  the  es- 
tate of  Thomas  Potts. 


The  Potts'  op  Middi^esex  Coumty,  N.  J.         i8  = 


CHAPTER    IV. 


The  Potts*  of  Middlesex  County,  New  Jersey. 


A  family  of  PoTTS,  of  good  repute,  is  found  in  Middlesex 
County,  New  Jersey,  before  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  but  nothing  is  now  definitely  known  of  its  origin  or 
the  time  of  its  first  settlement.  The  family  seems,  however, 
to  be  quite  distinct  from  that  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield). 
Eugene  F.  Potts,  of  Fuerti,  Sinaloa,  Mexico,  says  he  has 
heard  that  his  family  is  descended  from  one  of  ' '  three 
brothers ' '  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  New  Jer- 
sey and  Penns)dvania.  D.  Barton  McKinne,  Esq. ,  of  New 
York,  writes  that  it  is  his  understanding  that  his  ancestor, 
Samuel  Potts,  came  from  England  sometime  prior  to  the 
Revolution. 

The  Family  Bible  of  Samuel  Potts  passed  by  will  to  his 
son  John  Potts,  and  is  still  preserved  by  his  descendants. 
It  contains  some  family  records,  but  through  age,  wear,  ac- 
cident or  careless  mutilation,  they  can  only  be  partially  de- 
ciphered. Through  the  courtesy  of  Alpheus  Potts,  Esq. ,  of 
Jeffersonville,  N.  Y.,  we  are  able  to  give  below  a  copy  of 
the  fragmentary  remains  of  these  Bible  records.  The  blank 
spaces  left  in  this  printed  copy  only  partially  correspond  to 
those  in  the  original  entries. 

Samuel  Burtes  Potts 
and  Elizabeth  Potts 

Maria  Potts 

William  Potts  was  born  Thursday  the  iSth  of  in  the  year  1759.  ^ 

Amy  Baylis  was  born  on  in  the  year  1750. 

24 


1 86  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Samuel  and  Amy  Potts  was 

John  Potts  son  of  Samuel  March  21,  1777 

Susannah  Potts  daughter  Born  May  15,  1779. 

Susannah  Herbert  died 

Sarah  Potts,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Amy  Potts,  was  born  August 
29,  1781. 

Sarah  Potts  departed  this  life  September  30,  17S3 

Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Samuel  and  Am}-  Potts,  was  born  April  nth, 
1784. 

Elizabeth  Potts,  daughter  of  vSamuel  and  Amy  Potts,  was  born  Oc- 
tober 27,    1799. 

this  life  June  4,  1753 

this  life  Odlober  10,  1762 

son  of  Daniel  and  Odlober  18th,  1799. 

IMary  Voorhies  February  6,  1800 

Potts,  son  of  Samuel  and  Amy,  was  born  January  26,  1804 

Elizabeth  Potts,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Potts,  was  born  Au- 
gust 22th,  1S02. 

Samuel  Potts,  son  of  John  and  Mary  Potts,  was  born  December 
15th,  1803. 

Elizabeth  Potts  and  Seth  Dey  was  married  Jan.  9,  1819. 

John  Burtes  Dey,  son  of  Seth  and  Elizabeth,  was  born  December 
5th,  1819. 

Amy  Potts  Dey,  daughter  of  Seth  and  Elizabeth  Dej',  born  Odlober 
28th,  1 82 1. 

It  is  very  unfortunate  that  this  record  is  so  imperfecfl. 
The  reader  is  left  to  his  own  conjectures.  Samuel  Burtes 
Potts  may  be  identical  with  that  Samuel  Potts  who  married 
Amy  Baylis  in  1776.  Samuel  Burtes  Potts,  Maria  Potts 
and  William  Potts  ma}'  have  been  brothers  and  sister.  From 
Stryker's  Jerseytne^i  in  the  Revolution,  it  is  learned  that  both 
Samuel  and  Williatn  Potts,  of  Middlesex  County,  served  in 
the  Revolutionary  army.  Such  an  account  of  Samuel  Potts 
and  his  descendants,  as  could  be  obtained,  is  here  given. 


The  Potts'  of  Middlesex  County,  N.  J.         187 

I  Samuel  Potts,'  of  Middlesex  Count}-,  New  Jersey, 
was  probably  boru  about  1750,  but  whether  in  England  or 
America  is  not  clear.  He  married  Amy  Baylis  (or  Bayles) 
April  23,  1776.*  His  residence  was  then  given  as  Cranbu- 
ry.  He  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  a  wagon-master,  but  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth 
fought  in  the  ranks,  while  his  brave  young  wife  carried  wa- 
ter to  the  soldiers  during  and  after  the  battle. 

He  was  a  prosperous  and  influential  citizen,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  in  182 1  or  1822,  he  possessed  a  consider- 
able estate.  About  1808  he  purchased  lands  in  Bethel 
Township,  Sullivan  County,  New  York.  His  will  is  dated 
March  7,  1821,  and  was  probated  in  the  Surrogate's  Office 
at  New  Brunswick,  on  September  13,  1822.  He  gives  his 
residence  as  South  Amboy  Township.  He  makes  bequests 
to  "  my  well  beloved  wife  Amy;  "  to  son  John,  $100,  and 
large  Bible,  after  his  said  wife's  decea.se  ;  to  son  Thomas, 
$100  ;  to  daughter  Eliza,  wife  of  Seth  Dey,  interest  of  $500; 
to  son  William,  $400,  and  remainder  of  ni}-  land  in  Bethel 
Township,  Sullivan  County,  New  York,  adjoining  lands  al- 
ready conveyed  to  sons  John  and  Thomas  ;  to  deceased 
daughter  Susanna's  son  James  Herbert,  $200.  William 
Potts  was  under  twentj'-one  years  of  age.  Sous  John  and 
Thomas  appointed  executors  and  empowered  to  sell  lands 
in  New  Jersey  for  $4000. 

Chii,dren  of  Samuei,  and  Amy  (Bayi^is)  Potts. 

2  John  Pott-s,  b.  March  21,  1777;  d.  1864;  m.  Mary  Voorhees. 

3  Susannah  Potts,    b.  May  15,  1779;   d.  before  1821;   m.  Daniel  (?) 

Herbert.     Left  one  son,  James. 

4  Sarah  Potts,    b.  August  21,  1781;  d.  September  3,  1783. 

5  Thomas  Potts,  b.  April  11,  1784;  d.  1865  or  6. 

6  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Odlober  27,  1799;  m.  Seth  Dey,  Jan.  9,  1819. 

Children,   i  John  Burtes,  2  Amy  Potts. 

7  William  Potts,    b.  Jan.  4,  1804;  m.  Eliza  McChesney. 


*  NOTp;.    This  is  the  date  of  marriage  license.     See  Liber  M,  in  the  office  of  the 
Department  of  State  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 


i88  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

2  John  Potts, 2  (Samuel,'),  son  of  Samuel  and  Amy 
(Baylisj  Potts,  was  born  March  21,  1777,  at  Cranbury  in 
Middlesex  County,  New  Jersey.  He  married  Mary  Voor- 
hees,  daughter  of  Garret  Voorhees,  (perhaps  Feb.  6,  iSooj. 
John  Potts  settled  on  a  farm  in  Bethel  Township,  Sullivan 
County,  New  York,  which  his  father  had  purchased  for  him. 
Here  he  entraged  in  farming  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.     He  died  in  1864. 

Children  of  John  and  Mary  (Voorhees)  Potts. 

S  Amy  Potts,  m.  Reuljen  Carpenter.  Children,  i  William,  2 
Elizabeth,  3  John,  4  James,  5  Martha,  6  Oliver,  7  Augusta, 
8  Amy. 

9     Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Augnst  22,  1802;  m.  D.  Lanfier. 

10  Samuel  Potts,  b.  Dec.  15,  1S03;  m.  Louisa  DuBron. 

1 1  John  Potts,  m.  Susan  . 

12  James  N.  Potts,  m.  Clarissa  Jordan. 

13  Lydia  Potts,  d.  unmarried. 

14  Martha  Potts,  m.  William  Roper.     Son,  John. 

15  William  Potts,  m.  Martha  Coots.     Has  three  sons. 

16  Mary  Potts,  m.  David  B.  Kinne.     Several  children.     D.  Barton 

Kinne,  one  of  the  sons,  is  a  lawyer  in  New  York. 

17  G.  Voorhees  Potts,  died  unmarried. 

18  George  Potts,  died  unmarried. 


5  Thomas  Potts, ^  (Samuel, '),  son  of  Samuel  and  Amy 
(Baylis)  Potts,  was  born  April  11,  1784,  in  Middlesex  Co., 
N.  J.  He  was  married  iDut  the  name  of  his  wife  has  not 
come  to  the  notice  of  the  compiler.  He  settled  on  land  pur- 
chased by  his  father,  in  Sullivan  County,  New  York,  but 
he  tired  of  the  forest,  and  returned  to  Middlesex  County,  N. 
J.,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1865  ar  6.  He  reared 
a  family  and  accumulated  a  considerable  estate.  His  will, 
dated  P'eb.  21,  1865,  and  proven  Feb.  15,  1866,  is  recorded 
in  the  Surrogate's  Office  at  New  Brunswick.  He  mentions 
each  of  his  seven  children,  and  .seven  grandsons  bearing  the 
name  of  Thomas,  sons  of  each  of  his  children.  He  makes 
a  bequest  of  the  interest  of  $800,  to  the  widow  of  his  son 


The  Potts'  of  Middlesex  County,  N.  J.        189 

James  W.  Potts,  deceased,  and  at  her  death  the  principal 
to  go  to  her  children,  provided  they  apply  for  it  within 
twenty  years,  otherwise  they  were  to  be  considered  as  dead. 

Chii^dren  of  Thomas  and  —  ( )  Potts. 

19  Rev.  Jame.s  W.  Potts,  M.  D.,  m.  PYederica  M.  Fickliardt. 

20  Joseph  Potts,    was  married  and  had  children.       One   son  was 

named  Thomas.     Two  sons  said  to  be  Baltimore  merchants. 

21  Susan  Potts,  m.  Brown,  and  had  a  son  Thomas. 

22  Eliza  Ann  Potts,  m.  Jacob  Burt,     Children,  Thomas. 

23  Amy  Potts,  m,  Bergen.     Children,  Thomas. 

24  Rebecca  Potts,  m.  Dey.     Children,  Thomas. 

25  Sarah  Potts,  m.  Wykoff.     Children,  Thomas. 


7  William  Potts,*  (Samuel,^),  son  of  Samuel  and  Amy 
(Baj'lis)  Potts,  was  born  Jan.  26,  1804,  (?),  in  Middlesex 
County,  N.  J.  He  married  Eliza  McChesney.  He  settled 
on  the  land  in  Sullivan  County,  New  York,  left  to  him  by 
his  father,  but  is  said  to  have  returned  to  New  Jersey.  The 
name  of  only  one  child  has  been  given,  but  there  may  have 
been  others. 

Children  of  \Vii.r,iAM  and  Euza  (McChesney)  Potts. 
26     Samuel  Potts. 


lo  Samuel  Potts,'  (Johu,^  Samuel,^),  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Voorhees)  Potts,  was  born  Dec.  15,  1S03,  in  Middle- 
sex County,  New  Jersey.  He  married  lyouisa  DuBron. 
Residence,  Bethel  Township,  Sullivan  County,  New  York. 
In  i8g6,  the  children  were  reported  all  living  and  married. 

Children  of  Samuel  --^nd  Louisa  (DuBron)  Potts. 

27  Alonza  Potts. 

28  John  Potts. 

29  Margaret  Potts.  , 

30  Alpheus  Potts.     He  is  a  lawyer  at  JefFersonville,  N.  Y. 


I90  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

31  Dr.  Edgar  Potts.      He  is  a  Physician  at  Port  Jervis,  New  York. 

32  Mar}-  Potts. 

33  Janette  Potts. 


19     Rev.  James  W.  Potts,  M.  D.,'    (Thomas,*   Sam- 
uel,^), .son  of  Thomas  and ( )  Potts,  was  born  in 

Middlesex  County,  N.  J.  He  married  Frederica  Margarita 
Fickhardt.*  Mr.  Potts  was  a  pra(5licing  phy.sician  and  a 
minister  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  said  to  have  been 
a  fluent  and  eloquent  speaker.  Soon  after  marriage  he  set- 
tled at  Port  Deposit,  Maryland,  where  he  founded  a  Meth- 
odist Church.  He  subsequently  removed  to  the  southwest, 
preaching  and  pradlicing  medicine  in  Missouri  and  Texas. 
In  1856  he  started  on  a  trip  to  California,  leaving  his  fam- 
ily in  Texas.  On  reaching  Tucson,  Arizona,  he  was  the  first 
man  to  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  deliver  a 
patriotic  address.  After  visiting  California  he  started  home, 
but  was  taken  ill  and  died  at  Las  Cruces,  New  Mexico,  in 
1856  or  7.  There  were  eight  children,  but  the  names  of 
only  four  of  them  have  been  furnished. 

Children  of  Rev.  James  W.  and  Frederica.  Marg.\rita 

(FiCKHARDT)  POTTS. 

34  Rev.  Thomas  Augustus  Potts;    b.    1832;    deceased.      He   was  a 

Baptist  minister. 

35  Emma  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  1834;  m. Moore.      She   is   a 

widow,  and  lives  at  Mount  Vernon,  Texas. 

36  Eugene  Fickhardt  Potts  b.  1844.       Residence,  Fuerti,  Sinaloa, 

Mexico. 

37  George  Albert  Potts,  b,  1847;   deceased. 


The  pedigree  of  this  family,  including  four  generations,  is 
very  fairly  shown  by  the  chart  on  the  next  page. 

*  Note.  She  was  born  at  Easton,  Penna.,  but  her  father  came  from  Westphalia, 
Germany.  Her  brother,  Dr.  Augustus  Fickhardt,  was  still  living  at  Bethlehem, 
Penna.,  a  few  years  ago. 


i 


The  Potts'  of  Middlesex  County,  N.  J.        191 


Pedigree  of  the  Potts  Family  of  Middlesex  County,  N.  J. 


-John=Mary 

[Voorhees 


-Siisannah=Dauiel 
[Herbert 


-Sarah,  d.  y. 


-Amy=Reuben  Carpenter- 
-Elizabeth=D.  Lanfier. 


-Samue'.=l,ouisa  DuBrou. — 

John=Susan 

James  N.=Clarissa  Jordan. 
Lydia. 

Martha=William  Roper. 
William—Martha  Coots. 
Mary=David  B.  Kinne. 
-G.  Voorhees. 
George. 


I- John  Burtes  Dey. 
■Elizabeth=Seth  Dey-|-Amy  Potts  Dey. 


-Thomas- 


-James  W.=F.  M.  Fickhardt.- 
-Joseph. 

-Susan= Brown. 

-Eliza  A.  =  Jacob  Burt. 

-Amy= Bergen. 

-Rebecca= Dey 


-William  Carpenter. 
-Elizabeth  Carpenter. 
-John  Carpenter. 
-James  Carpenter. 
-Oliver  Carpenter. 
-Augusta  Carpenter. 
-Amy  Carpenter. 

-Alonza  Potts. 
-John  Potts. 
-Margaret  Potts. 
-Alpheus  Potts,  Esq. 
-Dr.  Edgar  Potts. 
-Mary  Potts. 
-Janette  Potts. 


-Thomas  A.  Potts. 
-Emma  E.  Potts. 
-Eugene  F.  Potts. 
-George  A.  Potts 


-William= Eliza  Mc- 
[Chesney — 


-Sarah=- 
-Samuel. 


Wykoff, 


192  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER  V. 


The  Potts  Family  in  Pennsylvania. 


From  the  year  1683  to  1700  and  later  sev^eral  persons  ap- 
pear about  Germantown  in  Philadelphia  County  bearing 
the  name  of  PoTTS,  who  were  closely  associated  and  evi- 
dently nearly  related.  The  following  is  believed  to  include 
an  accurate  list  of  these  persons,  together  with  the  earliest 
dates  at  which  each  has  been  first  noticed.  Some  of  these 
are  believed  to  have  come  to  America  at  a  much  earli- 
er date. 

1683.  Elizabeth  Pott  or  Potts  and  her  daughter  Jane 
came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1683.  Elizabeth  Potts  married 
Edmund  Beimett  in  1685,  and  her  daughter  Jane  married 
John  Austin  in  1686. 

1686.  Thomas  Potts  signs  the  marriage  certificate  of 
John  Austin  and  Jane  Potts. 

1686.  Jonas  Potts  signs  the  marriage  certificate  of 
John  Austin  and  Jane  Potts. 

1690.  Elizabeth  Potts  (not  the  first  mentioned  Eliza- 
beth) died. 

1692.  David  Potts  signs  the  administrator's  bond  of 
EHzabeth  (Potts)  Bennett. 

1698.  Thomas  Potts,  (Jr.),  is  a  witness  to  the  will  of 
John  Powell,  made  at  sea,  during  the  passage  to  America. 


The  Potts  Fami;.y  in  Pennsylvania.  193 

1698.  Several  orphan  children  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales, 
deceased,  were  sent  over  to  Pennsylvania,  to  the  care  of 
Thomas  Potts,  their  uncle.  John  Potts,  one  of  these  chil- 
dren, was  a  ship  carpenter  and  married  Rebecca  — .  Mary 
Potts,  another  of  the  orphans,  married  Matthias  Tyson. 

1700.  Joan  or  J  one  Potts  signs  the  marriage  certificate 
of  Lewis  Lewis  and  Mary  Powell. 

1705.     Eleanor  Potts  married  Thomas  Roberts. 

1709.     Margaret  Potts  married  Evan  Morgan. 

1712.     Margaret  Potts  married  Richard  Cox  in  1712. 

1716.  Reese,  Riece  or  Rees  Potts  sells  land  at  Ger- 
mantown  to  Margaret  Tyson. 

All  of  these  will  be  quite  fully  treated  of  in  separate  suc- 
ceeding Chapters,  while  a  special  Chapter  will  be  devoted  to 
the  evidences  of  relationship,  and  still  another  to  the 
"Old  Potts  Puzzle." 

From  time  to  time  other  persons  of  the  name  appear  who 
were  not  connedled  with  these  earlier  settlers,  or  whose  af- 
filiation has  not  been  proven. 


25 


194  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


Elizabeth  Potts  and  her  Daughter  Jane  Potts* 


Elizabeth  Pott  or  Potts  and  Jane  Potts,  her  daughter, 
came  to  Pennsylvania  in  16S3,  as  shown  by  a  deed  recorded 
in  the  Recorder's  Office  at  Philadelphia,  in  Deed-Book  E  3, 
Volume  6,  page  42.  They  are  the  first  of  the  name  known 
to  have  settled  in  that  State.  Elizabeth  Potts  seems  to  have 
been  a  widow  when  she  came  to  Pennsylvania,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved that  others  of  the  famil)',  beside  her  daughter  Jane, 
came  with  her.  They  were  Friends  and  in  1685  were  under 
the  care  of  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting.  In  1684  they 
obtained  a  grant  of  one  hundred  acres  of  laud,  which  was 
supposed  to  be  laid  out  in  Philadelphia  County,  but  a  subse- 
quent resurvey  showed  it  to  be  in  Chester  County.  It  ad- 
joined Eetitia  Penn's  Manor.  The  warrant  issued  by  the 
Board  of  Property,  on  file  at  Harrisburg,  is  as  follows, 

By  the  Commissioners  of  Improvement  to  grant  lots  in  the  Province 
of  Pennsylvania  at  the  request  of  Elizabeth  Pott,  that  we  would  grant 
her  a  lot  in  the  City  and  100  acres  of  land  ( being  the  Headright  for 
herself  and  her  daughter)  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia  near  the 
Welchmen.  These  are  to  will  and  require  thee  forthwith  to  survey  or 
cause  to  be  surveyed  unto  her  a  lot  near  the  center  of  the  city,  and  the 
said  hundred  acres  in  the  aforementioned  county  where  not  already 
taken  up,  she  fencing  the  lot  in  &  building  upon  the  same  wnthin  six 
months  &  improving  the  Land  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  sur- 
vey, and  make  returns  thereof  into  the  Secretaries  Office.  Given  at 
Philadelphia  the  12th  y"'"  1684.  Thos.  Lloyd, 

James  Ci,.\ypoivE. 

In  1685  Elizabeth  Potts  married  Edmund  Bennettt  of 
Bucks  County.     They  first  declared  their  intentions  of  mar- 


Elizabeth  Potts  and  Daughter.  195 

riage  before  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,   8  mo.  5,  1685, 
and  the  following  record  made  thereof. 

EUinor  Allen  and  Hannah  Boyer  presented  Edinond  Bennett  and 
Elizabeth  Potts,  who  the  first  time  declared  their  intentions  of  mar- 
riage to  the  meeting.  The  meeting  orders  him  to  bring  a  Certificate 
from  the  meeting  to  which  he  belongs  to  in  the  County  of  Bucks  to 
the  next  meeting. 

On  10  mo.  7,  they  presented  their  intentions  the  second 
time,  and  were  allowed  to  proceed  in  marriage  according  to 
the  usage  among  Friends.  The  marriage  took  place  10  mo. 
[Dec]  22,  16S5,  at  the  house  of  John  Otter,  near  Burling- 
ton, [now  Bristol].  The  Middletown  Monthly  Meeting 
has  a  brief  record  of  the  marriage,  with  names  of  the  sign- 
ers to  the  certificte  as  follows. 

Edmund  Bennit  of  ye  County  of  Bucks  and  Elizabeth  Potts  late  of 
y6  County  of  Philadelphia  m.  lo  22   16S5  at  John  Otter's  house 
John  Otter  James  Spencer  Edmund  Bennit T 

James  Boyden  Margaret  Boyden  Elizabeth  Bennitt. 

Tho:  Atkin.son  Mary  Allen 

Rob*  Hall  Elizabeth  Hall 

Sam:  Allen  Jane  Atkinson 

Michall  Huflf  Jane  Dungan 

Will'"  Stanford 
Will'"  Dungan 

Edmund  Bennett  seems  to  have  been  in  Pennsylvania  be- 
fore the  arrival  of  the  Proprietor,  and  ma}^  have  been  here 
as  early  as  16S1,  He  took  up  300  acres  of  land  in  Bristol 
Township,  Bucks  County,  12  mo.  i,  1682,  [O.  S.].  Ashe 
is  included  with  those  who  took  up  land  before  Penn's  ar- 
rival, the  above  date  would  seem  to  be  Februarj^  [12  mo.] 
I,  1682.  The  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Property,  of  9  mo. 
8,  1703,  contains  the  following  entry. '-i^ 

The  Prop'ry  by  deeds  dat,  25,  7br.,  '81,  vid.  Rolls  Bo.  A.,  vol. 
fo.  82,  Granted  to  Edm'nd  Bennett  1,000  acres,  who  by  warrant  dated 
1st  12  mo.,  '82,  Took  up  300  a's  In  Bristol  Township,  in  Bucks,  and 
the  said  Edm'd  by  his  last  will,  dat.  5,  7ber,  '92,  Granted  his  whole 


*  See  Penna.  Archives,  Second  Series,  Volume  XIX,  page  409. 


196  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Estate  to  his  wife  Eliz'th  Bennett,  who  by  her  deed  dated  22,  3  nic, 
1702,  Conveyed  100  a's  Part  thereof,  to  Wm.  Crosdale.  The  said 
Traol  being  resurveyed  is  found  to  Contain  151  a's,  for  the  Overplus 
of  which  he  Offers  ^10,  being  Barren.  A  Patent  is  granted,  the  Con- 
sideration to  be  for  Services  and  No  Sum. 

By  a  general  warrant,  dated  4  mo.  13,  1683,  lands  taken 
up  by  old  settlers,  before  the  arrival  of  the  Proprietor,  were 
resurveyed.  Edmund  Bennett  is  shown  to  have  321  acres 
in  one  tra(5t  and  50  acres  in  another.^-  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Property,  held  12  mo.  22,  1689-90,  it  was  ordered 
that  Edmund  Bennett  have  a  warrant  "for  taking  up  his 
Liberty  land  according  to  his  purchase  of  1000  acres."  f 

At  another  meeting,  held  2  mo.  12,  1690,  it  was  ordered 
that  Edmund  Bennett  have  a  warrant  to  lay  out  a  piece  of 
swamp,  adjoining  his  land  in  Bucks  County.  X  On  8  mo. 
13,  1683,  Richard  Dungworth  conveyed  to  Edmund  Ben- 
nett, 50  acres  which  in  a  subsequent  deed  of  sale  it  is  recit- 
ed that  the  Proprietor  had  granted  it  to  the  said  Edmund 
Bennett,  as  part  of  his  land  due  him  on  account  of  his  first 
purchase,  § 

Edmund  Bennett  died  September,  1692,  leaving  a  will  da- 
ted Sep.  5,  1692,  and  proven  7  mo.  [Sept.]  21,  1692,  and 
recorded  at  Philadelphia,  in  Will- Book  A,  page  210.  His 
residence  is  then  given  as  Philadelphia.  By  the  will  he  left 
one  shilling  to  his  nephew  John  Bartlet  "  now^in  England." 
The  remainder  of  his  estate  he  left  to  his  wife  Elizabeth, 
making  her  his  executrix,  with  friends  John  Kinsey,  John 
Jones  and  John  Otter  to  assist  her.  The  witnesses  were 
Thomas  Roberts,  Jane  Austin  and  Theodore  Roberts. 

Elizabeth  Bennett  filed  her  bond  as  executrix,  "7*""  24, 
1692,"  in  the  sum  of  ;^250.  She  was  said  to  be  "  late  of 
Bucks  County."  Her  bondsman  was  David  Potts.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  inventory  filed  7  mo.  23.  1692. 


*  See  Penna.  Archives,  2d  series,  Vol.  XIX,  p.  2,^6.      t  See  ibid.  p.  26.     X  See  ibid. 
P-  33-     ?  See  ibid,  p.  196. 


Elizabeth  Potts  and  Daughter.  197 

Inventory  of  Edmund  Bennett's  Personal  Effedls. 

A  true  &  ^fedl  Inventory  of  all  y«  Goods  &  Chattells  of  Edmond 
Bennet,  late  deceased  of  Philadelphia,  appraised  by  us  whose  names 
are  hereunder  written  this  Twenty  third  day  of  Seaventh  Month  1692. 

/     s     d 
Imprimis  his  purse  &  Apparrell  8  00  00 

1'  Bed  &  Bedding  &  Hangings  thereto 16  00  00 

I«  Utensills  of  Brass 10  00  00 

I'  Pewter  &  Tinware 6  05  00 

r-  ffive  Irons  &  other  Iron  Ware 10  00  00 

I^  One  Brass  Jack  &  Wanning  Pan 03  00  00 

I'  One  Looking  Glass 00  06  00 

I'  One  Gunn i  to  00 

I'  Two  Pieces  of  Hair  cloth  at    02  00  00 

I^  One  Case  of  Botles  00  06  00 

I"^  Eleven  panes  of  Glass 01  02  00 

P  Two  Case  of  Knives  00  10  00 

I'  Sheets  pillow  Covers   Table   Cloths   Napkins  &   other 

Linnens    10  00  00 

I*  One  Chest  of  Drawers  02  00  00 

I  Two  Stilator\es  with  Worms,  oneTobacco(?)  Scren  one 
Grind  stone,  with  Carpenf  Tools,  4  Chests,  5  Box- 
es, with  other  Lumber 35  00  ci 

Lastly  Two  Cows  &  one  Calf,  One  Bull  &  one  Steer  &  one 

Mare  &  Hogs iS  00  00 

W"  Gabitas                                                             Totall  123  19  ci 
Joshua  Hastings. 

On  5  mo.  5,  1696,  Elizabeth  Bennett  sold  to  Thomas 
Yardley  50  acres  in  Bucks  County,  and  on  3  mo.  22,  1702, 
she  sold  100  acres,  (part  of  the  original  300  acres),  to  Wil- 
liam Croasdale.  A  resurvey  of  the  tracfl  showed  that  it  con- 
tained 151  acres. 

Elizabeth  Bennett  died  i  mo.  8.  1707.  In  a  MS.  list  of 
deceased  Friends  in  the  ' '  Burying  ground  at  Philadelphia, 
recorded  by  Robert  Ewen,"  in  possession  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Historical  Society,  is  this  entry, 

Elizabeth  Bennitt,  vndd  :  of  Edmond  Bennitt,  died  i  mo.  S,  1707. 

It  is  believed  that  Elizabeth  Bennett  had  several  children 
by  her  former  husband,  but  the  name  of  only  one — Jane 
Potts — is  certainly  known. 


1 98  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Jane  Potts,  daii.t^hter  of and  Elizabeth  ( ) 

Potts,  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1683,  in  company  with  her 
mother  and  possibly  others  of  the  family.  On  9  mo.  1 1 , 
1686,  she  married  John  Austin,  of  Bucks  County,  at  the 
house  of  Edmund  Bennett.  The  Middletown  Monthly' 
Meeting  of  Friends  has  a  record  of  the  marriage.  The 
Marriage  Certificate  was  signed  b}-  the  contradling  parties 
and  witnesses  as  follows, 

John  Austin 
Edmund  Bennett  John  Otter  Jane  j  Austen 

Elizal)eth  Bennett  '><      John    ^    Closa 
Tho;  Potts*  Michel  Huff 

Jonas  Potts  f  Will'"  Sanford 

Elizabeth  Potts  j  F     R 

Samuel  Spencer  James  Spencer  ffrances  Sanford 

Samuel  Willton 

John  Austin  was  by  occupation  a  ship  carpenter,  and  was 
early  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  He  received  from  the  Pro- 
prietor of  Pennsylvania,  November  i,  1683,  a  patent  of  con- 
firmation for  a  lot  of  ground,  50  by  178  feet,  (No.  151),  on 
Chestnut  Street,  between  Third  and  Fourth  Streets.  On 
August  20,  1686,  he  sold  a  portion  of  this  ground,  when  he 
is  styled  "  of  the  Town  and  Count)'  of  Philadelphia,  ship 
carpenter."  He  probably  removed  to  Bucks  County  about 
this  time,  as  at  the  time  of  his  marriage  on  Nov.  11 ,  of  that 
year,  he  is  styled  as  of  Bucks  County.  On  August  4,  1687, 
he  sold  another  portion  of  the  Chestnut  Street  lot,  and  is 
then  styled  "  ship  carpenter  of  the  County  of  Bucks."  He 
subsequently  returned  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  purchased 
of  Francis  Rawle,  on  January  30,  1696,  a  "bank  lot,"  102 
by  250  feet,  on  the  north  side  of  Mulberry  Street,  from 
Front  Street  to  the  River,  where  he  carried  on  the  business 
of  ship  building. 

*  Note.    For  an  account  of  Thomas  Potts,  See  Chapter  VII. 

t  Note.     For  an  account  of  Jonas  Potts,  see  Chapter  VIII. 

X  Note.  The  Middletown  Monthly  Meeting  has  a  record  of  the  death  of  Eliza- 
beth Potts  as  occurring  on  lo  mo.  4,  1690.  Perhaps  she  was  a  daughter  of  Eliza- 
beth Potts-Bennett  and  sister  of  Jane  Potts-Austiu. 


Elizabeth  Potts  and  Daughter.  199 

The  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Property  for  31110.  24,  1703, 
contains  the  following  entry,* 

Jno.  Austen  Produceing  a  Warrant  from  the  Office  dat.  12,  7,  mo. 
'84,  signed  Thom's  Lloyd  and  Ja's  Clayp.  for  100  acres  of  Land  to 
Eliz'th  Pott,  near  the  Welch,  being  her  and  her  Daughter's  head- 
right,  f  requests  a  Resurvey  in  Order  to  a  Confirmation.  Granted,  the 
rent  being  settled  One-half  at  a  Penny  p'r  acre  and  the  other  half  at  a 
half  Penny  for  her  Daughter,  being  a  Servant.  J 

This  one  hundred  acres  granted  to  Elizabeth  Pott  and 
Jane  her  daughter,  was  sold  to  James  Davis  for  ^36,  as 
shown  by  a  deed  dated  9  mo.  19,  1706,  and  recorded  in  the 
Recorder's  Office  at  Philadelphia,  in  Deed-Book  E  3,  Vol. 
6,  page  42,  of  which  the  following  is  a  brief  abstracT;. 

Tri-Partite  Deed. 

Deed  Tripartite,  John  Austin,  Shipwright,  of  the  City  of  Philad* 
and  Jane  Austin  his  Wife  of  the  first  part,  Elizabeth  Bennett  of  the  s^ 
City,  widow,  of  the  2"'  part,  and  James  Davis  of  the  Great  Valley  in 
the  County  of  Chester  of  the  3'''^  part,  Whereas  Thomas  Lloyd  and 
James  Claypole  two  of  the  Commissioners  of  William  Penn  by  their 
Warrant  dated  12'''  7  mo.  1684,  granted  unto  the  Said  Elizabeth  (by 
the  name  of  Elizabeth  Potts)  100  acres  of  Headland  being  in  right  of 
herself  and  the  said  Jane  her  daughter,  they  having  come  in  as  Ser- 
vants in  the  3'ear  1683,  and  by  Virtue  of  a  Warrant  from  the  Commis- 
sioners dated  25,  3'"'^  mo.  1703,  and  whereas  by  Virtue  of  a  Warrant  of 
the  present  Commissioners  of  Property,  dated  the  twenty-sixth  day  of 
the  third  month,  one  thousand  Seven  hun  dred  &  Six,  the  s"^  one  hun- 
dred acres  was  resurveyed  &  returned  to  be  Situated  in  the  County  of 
Chester,  Beginning  in  the  line  of  Griffith  John's  land,  from  thence  by 
the  s*^  Line  South  east  One  hundred  &  ten  perches  to  a  stake,  ffrom 
thence  east  north  east  one  hundred  &  ninty  perches  to  a  stake  in  the 
line   of  Letitia  Penn's  Manor  of  ffrom  thence  by  s''  line 

North  North  East  one  hundred   &   four  perches   to   a   stake,    flfrom 


*  See  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Second  Series,  Voiume  XIX,  page  378. 

t  See  page  194,  ante. 

I  Note.  Among  the  early  settlers  who  came  into  Pennsylvania  were  a  very 
large  number  who  were  denominated  as  Servants.  The  liberal  terms  offered  by 
Penn,  greatly  increased  the  number  of  those  who  came  in  this  capacity,  as  tliey 
received  50  acres  of  headland,  when  their  time  expired,  the  same  as  others.  The 
term  did  not  necessarily  imply  a  menial,  but  included  mechanics,  farm  hands, 
agents,  etc.,  employed  by  others,  and  were  frequently  relatives  and  those  of  equal 
social  position.  Sometimes  their  pas.sage  was  paid  in  consideration  of  a  specified 
term  of  ser\'ice. 


200  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

thence  by  the  Line  of  John  Roberts  land  West  North  West  one  hun- 
dred and  ninty  perches  to  the  place  of  beginning,  etc. 

[Signed]  John  Austin     [Seal] 

her 
J.\NE   ^   AusTON     [Seal] 
Witnesses,  mark 

Jeremiah  Jarman  Eijzabeth  E  Benet     [Seal] 

Griffith  Lewellyn  her  mark 

John  Austin  was  a  Friend  and  was  attached  to  Philadel- 
phia Meeting.  He  died  about  1707  or  8,  and  letters  of  ad- 
ministration were  granted  to  Jane  Austin,  his  widow,  Feb- 
ruary' 25,  1707-8.  She  filed  a  bond  in  the  sum  of  ^400, 
with  Henry  Willis  [or  \Ville3']  and  "Jonas  Potts,  of  Ger- 
mantown,  yeoman,"  as  sureties.  Both  Jane  Austin  and 
Jonas  Potts  made  their  marks.  The  Inventory,  made  1 1 
mo.  [Jan.]  6,  1707,  and  exhibited  Feb.  25,  1707-8,  amount- 
ed to  ^248  6  4,  and  consisted  of  ship-stuff  and  household 
goods. 

Jane  Austin,  being  "weak  in  body  but  of  sound  mind 
and  memory,"  made  her  will  Dec.  26,  1733,  and  died  Sept. 
14,  1734.  The  will  is  recorded  in  Will-Book  E,  page  309, 
at  Philadelphia.  She  mentions  son  Samuel  Austin;  daugh- 
ters Ann  Robins,  Elizabeth  Chanel  and  Mary;  grand-chil- 
dren John  Robins,  Mary  Robins,  John  Austin,  John  Wood. 
The  excutors  were  George  Fitzwater,  Anthony  Morris  and 
Jacob  Shoemaker,  Witnesses,  Ezekiel  Potts  and  John  White. 

Chii,dren  of  John  and  Jane  (  Potts)  Austin. 

1  Samuel  Austin,  m.  ist,  Mary  Jarman,  Apr.  25,  1723,  (dau.  of  Ed- 

ward and  b.  Sep.  3,  1702).  Children,  John  and  others.  Md., 
2d,  Sarah  Stille,  nee  Keen,  061.  6,  1748.  Children,  William, 
Isaac,  Sarah. 

2  Ann  Austin,  m.  Thomas  Robins.     Children,  John,  Mary. 

3  Elizabeth  Austin,  m.  John  (?)  Chanel. 

4  Mary  Austin,  m. Wood.     Children,   John. 


Thomas  Potts,   (Miller),  and  Family.         201 


CHAPTER     VII. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family. 


Thomas  Potts,  Sen.,  was  a  resident  of  Bristol  Town- 
ship, Philadelphia  County.  He  seems  to  have  come  to 
Pennsylvania  from  Wales,  it  is  supposed  from  Llangirrig  or 
Llanidloes  in  Montgomeryshire.  He  was  a  miller  by  occu- 
pation, and  was  a  party  to  numerous  land  conveyances,  own- 
ing lands  and  mills  in  Bristol  Township,  and  in  New  Jersey. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  attached  to 
Abington  Monthly  Meeting.  He  was  an  acceptable  Public 
Friend,  as  ministers  of  that  Society  are  termed,  and,  after 
1 700,  traveled  much  in  the  service  of  Truth.  In  contempo- 
rary records  he  is  variously  styled  "  Thomas  Potts,  Sen.," 
"  Thomas  Potts,  yeoman,"  and  "  Thomas  Potts,  miller," 
while  recently  he  has  often  been  referred  to  as  "  Thomas 
Potts,  the  Quaker  Preacher."  In  this  work  he  will  be  des- 
ignated, when  necessary,  as  "  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller)." 

I  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  is  first  noticed  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  a  witness  to  the  marriage  certificate  of  John  Aus- 
tin and  Jane  Potts,  on  9  mo.  11,  1686.  At  the  marriage  of 
Friends  it  was  and  is  customary  for  those  present  to  sign 
the  marriage  certificate  as  witnesses,  the  relatives  of  the  con- 
tradling  parties,  signing  first  and  following  each  other  in 
the  order  of  nearest  connedtion.  In  this  instance,  Thomas 
Potts  signs  immediatety  after  the  mother  of  the  bride, 
which  is  a  strong  evidence  of  near  relationship. 

His  first  purchase  of  land  seems  to  have  been,   150  acres 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuylkill  River,  bought  10  mo.  5, 
26 


2o6  The  Potts  Family  in  America, 

In  1707,  James  Farmer,  from  Essex,  John  Bradley,  from  Cheshire, 
Thomas  Potts,  from  Pennsylvania,  also  divers  other  ministering 
Friends  from  this  nation,  were  diligent  in  the  exercise  of  their  gifts, 
both  in  meetings  held  among  Friends  and  strangers. 

In  171 1,  he  made  a  visit  to  Maryland,  and  on  his  return 
immediately  prepared  for  a  journey  into  New  England,  as  it 
appears  from  the  following  entry  in  the  Abington  Monthly 
Meeting  minutes  of  4  mo.  25,  1711. 

Our  friend  Thomas  Potts  lately  returned  from  Maryland  upon  y» 
Service  of  Truth,  &  recommended  of  good  Service  from  Tredevan 
Creek  &  now  the  said  Thomas  having  declared  that  he  finds  a  concern 
on  him  to  Visit  friends  at  New  England,  requests  a  Certificate  In  or- 
der for  y«  Said  Service,  which  allso  was  granted. 

He  was  accompanied  by  Thomas  Chalkley  upon  this  visit, 
and  it  is  probable  that  they  visited  Friends  on  Long  Island 
and  at  other  points  on  the  route  of  travel.  It  may  be  that 
it  was  upon  this,  or  a  similar  journey,  Thomas  Potts  first 
met  Judith  Smith,  of  Flushing,  whom  he  married  in  the 
next  year.  The  minutes  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  for 
5  rao.  28,  1 7 12,  show  that 

A  Certificate  was  granted  Thomas  Potts  in  order  to  proceed  on  to- 
wards Marriage  with  Judith  Smith  of  Long  Island. 

The  marriage  was  accomplished  not  long  afterwards,  as 
shown  by  the  following  abstra(5t  from  the  Friends  records  of 
marriages  at  Long  Island.* 

The  foreteenth  day  of  the  Sixth  Month  Ano  One  thousand  seven 
hundred  &  twelve.  At  flushing — Thomas  Potts  of  Bristol  township 
in  y*  county  of  Philadelphia  in  pensilvania  and  Judith  Smith  of  flush- 
ing, &c. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1712,  he  again  visited 
Friends  in  Maryland,  and  on  2  mo.  25,  1715, 

A  Certificate  was  granted  Thomas  Potts  in  order  to  go  to  \nsit 
Friends  in  Barbadoes,  upon  y«  Service  of  Truth. 

Sometime  after  his  return  he  made  arrangements  to  settle 
in  Maryland,  and  on  11  mo.  30,  1715, 

♦  See  New  York  Genealogical  and  Biograhpical  Record,  Vol.  VI,  page  loi. 


Thomas  Potts,   (Miller,)  and  Family.         207 

A  Certificate  was  granted  Thomas  Potts  in  order  to  Settle  in  Mary- 
land. 

He  removed  to  Talbot  Count}',  Marj-land,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  live  for  some  time.  While  a  resident  of  Mary- 
land, he  issued  a  letter  of  attorney  to  Joseph  Kirkbride  of 
Bucks  County,  empowering  him  to  sell  his  land,  house  and 
mills  in  Somerset  County,  New  Jersey.  The  original  doc- 
ument remains  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  Department  of 
State  at  Trenton.     It  is  as  follows, 

Know  :  all  :  men  :  by  these  Presents  :  that  :  I ;  Thomas  Potts  :  of  Tal- 
bot County  in  y"  Pro\'ince  of  Maryland,  Miller,  Have  made  constitut- 
ed authorized  &  ordained  &  do  hereby  make  constitute  Authorize 
&  ordain  my  Loving  friend  Joseph  Kirkbride  of  Bucks  County  in  ye 
Province  of  Pensiluania,  Yeoman:  my  true  &  La\\-full  Attorney  for 
me  &  in  my  Name  to  Bargain  Sell  &  Dispose  of  all  &  Singular  My 
Land  house  Si.  Mills  Lying  &  being  on  Stony  Brook  in  Sommerset 
County  in  y*  Province  of  East  J  ersey  Together  with  y^  Improue- 
ments  Priueleges  Profits  &  appurtenances  Thereunto  belonging  to 
such  person  or  persons  as  He  y*  said  Joseph  Kirkbride  shall  think  fit 
&  convenient  &  to  make  sign  seal  &  Deliver  as  my  Acl  &  Deed  such 
Agreements  Titles  &  conueyances  concarning  y"  afores^  premises  as  y« 
Law  Doth  Direcfl  as  Also  To  take  &  Receiue  sufficient  security  Bills  & 
Bonds  for  y^  payment  of  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  he  shall  alien 
&  sell  y*  Lande  for  &  generally  to  do  &  execute  any  other  Lawful 
adls,  Deuise  &  Deuises  either  jn  Law  or  equity  for  y«  confirming  & 
sure  making  of  y«  s**  Bargain  as  fully  &.  amply  as  I,  y^  aboue-[said] 
Thomas  Potts  might  or  could  do  if  Personally  present  Ratifying  &  Al- 
lowing whatsoeuer  my  s"^  Attorney  In  this  behalf  shall  Do,  or  cause  to 
be  Done 

In  Witness  :  whereof  :  I  have  to  these  presents  set  my  hand  &  seal 
this  Seventh  day  of  y*  Sixth  Month  called  August  In  the  third  year  of 
the  Reign  of  King  George  ouer  Great  Britain  &c  Annoq  Domi  One 
Thousand  Seuan  Hundred  And  Sixteen 

Sealed  &  deliuerd  In  y« 
presence  of  Euerard  Bol-     ,    _^.      ,,,^^^1^  ^  x  f-^m  ■t  rc^     ,-, 

ton   Robert  ffletcher   and     CJ^     ^1^0??^^         ^^/Z  .7  [Seal] 

Thomas  Canby 

County  of  Burlington  In  y*  province  of  New  Jersey  Nouember  y^  12 
1716.  Then  Appeared  befor  vs  Vnder  written  two  of  His  Majesties 
Justices  of  y«  peace  for  y«  County  of  Burlington  Euerard  Bolton  and 
Robert  fletcher  &  upon  Their  Solemn  affirmation  Declare  y'  they  saw 


(J%mcA   ^crffs 


204  Thk  Potts  Family  in  America. 

John  Cadvvallader,  David  Potts,  Isaac  Delaplaine,  Morris 
Morris,  Henry  Cunuards,  William  Lukens,  etc.  These 
were  Trustees  of  the  Friends  Meeting,  who  purchased  it  for 
a  Meeting  House  lot.  On  2  mo.  18,  1712,  the  signing  of 
the  deed  was  confirmed  by  Peter  Shoemaker  and  Isaac  Shoe- 
maker.     [See  Deed-Book  E  7,  Vol.  8,  p.  175.     Phila.] 

In  1706,  Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  Township,  yeoman, 
sold  to  Everard  Bolton  a  one  fourth  interest  in  certain  lands 
and  two  water  corn  mills  or  grist  mills  in  Bristol  Township, 
commonly  known  as  ' '  Potts'  s  Mills. ' '  In  the  same  year 
Thomas  Potts,  Sen.,  of  Bristol  Township,  miller,  and  George 
Gray,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  merchant,  were  parties 
to  several  real  estate  conve3'ances  of  lands,  etc. ,  in  Bristol 
Township. 

On  Dec.  26,  161 7,  Thomas  Potts,  Sen.,  of  Bristol  Town- 
ship, miller,  purchased  of  William  Dilworth,  100  acres  in 
said  Township,  "  beginning  at  the  corner  of  the  City  Liber- 
ties,"  etc. 

On  September  2,  17 18,  Thomas  Potts,  Senr.,  of  Bristol 
Township,  yeoman,  purchased  two  small  tra<5ts  of  land  in 
said  Township  from  Joshua  Fincher  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife. 
On  the  same  day  Thomas  Potts  and  Judith,  his  wife,  made 
a  deed  to  Joshua  Fincher  for  a  lot  in  the  same  Township. 

Among  public  records  are  to  be  found  a  number  of  origi- 
nal signatures  of  Thomas  Potts.  They  are  marked  by  cer- 
tain charadleristics  that  make  them  readily  recognized  and 
easily  distinguished  from  those  of  any  of  his  contemporaries 
who  bore  the  same  name.  Below  is  a  good  copy  of  his  sig- 
nature attached  to  the  appraisers'  list  of  the  effects  of  John 
Powell,  who  died  at  sea  in  1698  while  on  his  way  to  Penn- 
sylvania. 


(T^^"^-'  ^o"^ 


The  papers  relating  to  the  decedent's  estate  are  in  the 
Register's  Office  at  Philadelphia. 


PTRST     IVIEETING     3r»LACE     OK     GrKRMANTOVVN     FRIENDS. 


MEMORANDA. — -The  modest  two-story  building  in  the  center,  now  known  as 
4537  Germantown  Avenue,  Germantown,  is  built  on  the  site  of  the  oris^inal 
dwelling  house  of  Thones  Kunders,  and  the  north  wall  at  the  left  is  believed  to  be 
part  of  the  original  Kunders  house.  It  was  in  Thones  Kunders'  house  that  the 
first  meeting  of  the  Germantown  Friends  was  held,  and  it  is  likely  that  they  con- 
tinued to  meet  here  from  time  to  time  for  worship,  until  the  erection  of  the  Meet- 
ing House  in  171)5.  Doul:>tless  among  the  worshipers  were  Thomas,  Jonas 
and  David  Potts,  and  here  the  voice  of  Thomas  Potts  may  have  been  heard  in 
testimony.  No  print  of  the  first  Friends  Meeting  House  is  known  to  be  in 
existence. 


Thomas  Potts,   (Miller),  and  Family.         205 

Thomas  Potts  and  David  Potts  were  witnesses  to  the 
will  of  William  Howell,  of  Cheltenham  Township,  Philadel- 
phia County,  made  12  mo.  20,  1709.  Below  is  a  fair  cop)' 
of  Thomas  Potts'  signature, 

Other  signatures  will  appear  appended  to  copies  of  im- 
portant papers. 

Thomas  Potts  was  an  earnest  and  a(?tive  member  of  the 
religious  Society  of  Friends,  being  attached  to  the  German- 
town  Preparative  Meeting,  which  was  under  the  care  of  the 
Abington  Monthly  Meeting.  From  the  minutes  of  Abing- 
ton  Monthly  Meeting  *  and  other  sources,  it  appears,  that 
from  about  1 705  to  the  end  of  his  life,  he  devoted  himself 
very  largely  to  the  duties  of  a  public  Friend  or  religious 
minister,  traveling  and  visiting  Friends  in  the  service  of 
Truth,  in  Maryland,  Virginia,  New  England,  the  West  In- 
des,  England,  Ireland,  and  other  places. 

In  Hazard s  Register,  it  is  stated  that  "About  this  time 
[1705]  or  the  last  year,  Thomas  Potts  of  Pennsylvania  went 
to  pa}^  a  visit  to  Friends  in  England  and  Ireland,"  and  in 
1705  William  Penn,  writing  from  England,  mentions  Thom- 
as Potts  as  about  to  return  to  Pennsylvania.  Two  years  la- 
ter he  again  visited  England  and  Ireland,  having  been 
granted  a  Certificate  for  that  purpose  by  Abington  Monthly 
Meeting  on  3  mo.  26,  1707.  In  the  same  year  Thomas 
Chalkley  mentions  Thomas  Potts,  in  his  journal,  as  a  com- 
panion of  himself  and  Anthonj^  Morris,  on  a  visit  to  Friends 
in  the  West  Indes,  from  whence  they  sailed  for  England. 
Rutty' s  History  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  the  People  called 
Quakers  in  Ireland,  etc.,  Dublin,  ly^i,  has  the  following, 

*  Note.  The  early  minutes  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  are  very  meager  and 
evidently  incomplete.  It  is  possible  that  the  original  minutes  were  written  upon 
separate' slips  of  paper  and  .subsequently  copied  into  a  book,  when  some  of  the 
slips  may  have  been  lost. 


202  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

1692,  from  John  Blunston,  attorney  for  William  Shardlow, 
of  London,  Eno^land.  The  deed  recorded  at  Philadelphia 
in  Deed-Book  E  7,  Vol.  9,  page  53,  is  as  follows, 

Know  all  men  that  I  John  Blunston  of  Darby  in  the  County  of  Ches- 
ter for  the  consideration  of  nine  Pounds  of  Current  Money  of  Penn- 
sylvania to  him  paid  by  Thomas  Pott  of  Pliila  C.  the  Receipt  whereof 
he  doth  hereby  acknowledge  Hath  b}'  Virtue  of  a  Letf  of  Attorney, 
duly  executed  under  the  hand  and  Seal  of  William  Shardlow  of  Lon- 
don Merchant  dated  the  thirtieth  day  of  September  ( 1691 )  and  Record- 
ed in  the  Registry  for  the  s'  County  of  Chester  in  Book  A,  page  58, 
given  granted  Enfeoffed  &  by  these  p'sents  confirmed  unto  the  S"* 
Thomas  Potts  all  that  Tra<5l  of  Land  on  the  West  Side  of  Schuylkill. 
Beginning  by  the  River  Side  and  by  the  land  formerly  belonging  to 
William  Wood,  West  16  Degrees  South  320  perches  North  No.  West 
76  perches  Thence  East  16  Degrees  North  320  perches  to  the  s**  River 
&  by  the  same  River  the  several  courses  thereof  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ing,  containing  One  hundred  &  Fifty  Acres  being  part  of  the  Twenty 
five  hundred  Acres  belonging  to  the  s''  Shardlow  &  mentioned  in  the 
s^  Letter  of  .\ttorne}-  to  be  contracted  for  To  have  &  to  hold  the  s'' 
One  hundred  &  fifty  Acres  of  Land  with  the  appurtenances  unto  the 
s**  Thomas  Pott  &  his  heirs  to  the  use  of  him  his  heirs  &  assigns  forev- 
er. And  the  s''  John  Blunston  as  Attorney  for  s*  William  Shardlow 
the  s"*  Land  and  p'mises  hereby  granted  with  the  appurtenances  unto 
the  s**  Thomas  Pott  his  heirs  &  assigns  against  him  the  s"*  William 
Shardlow  &  his  heirs  &  against  all  other  persons  whatsoever  lawfully 
claiming  or  to  claim  by  from  or  under  him  them  or  any  of  them 
Shall  and  will  Warrant  &  forever  defend  by  these  p'sents  And  hath 
made  David  Lloyd  his  attorney  to  deliver  these  p'sents  in  open  Court 
according  to  Law. 

In  Witness  whereof  he  hath  hereunto  set  his  hand  &  Seal  the  fifth 
daj-  of  the  Tenth  Month  Anno  Dom  1692 

[Signed]  John  Bi.unsTon    [Seal] 

Sealed  &  delivered  in  the  presence  of  Joseph  Wood  and  John  Wood. 

Acknowledged  in  open  Court  held  at  Philad*  the  7"*  of  the  i" 
Month  1693  Witness,  John  White,  Deputy  Clarke,  and  the  County 
Seal.         Recorded  the  1 2^''  i'*  mo.   1712-3. 

On  2  mo.  2,  1695,  "  Thomas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia,  Veo- 
man,  for  ye  consideration  of  75  pounds  current  silver  mon- 
ey of  Pennsilvania,  to  him  paid  by  David  Hugh,  of  Merion 
in  the  Welch  tra(5l,  yeoman,"  conveyed  "all  that  tra(5l  of 


Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family.         203 

land  with  buildings  and  improvements,"  *  *  *  "  scitu- 
ate  on  the  west  side  of  Skoolkill,"  etc. ,  containing  150  acres, 
formerly  purchased  of  John  Blunston,  the  5th  day  of  the 
tenth  month,  1692.  The  witnesses  to  this  latter  deed  were 
Thomas  Pritchard,  David  Potts,  and  ffrancis  Cooke. 

The  earlier  public  records  are  frequently  quite  deficient, 
as  in  many  instances  the  recording  of  deeds  was  long  de- 
layed or  they  were  not  recorded  at  all.  The  Deed-Books 
at  Philadelphia,  show  at  least  some  of  the  land  transactions 
of  Thomas  Potts.  He  built  two  water  corn  mills  or  grist 
mills  on  a  branch  of  Frankford  Creek,  not  far  from  German- 
town,  that  were  long  known  as  "  Potts' s  Mills,"  or 
"Potts'  Mills."  Among  land  conveyances,  aside  from  the 
foregoing,  are  the  following. 

On  4  mo.  28,  1699,  Thomas  Potts,  yeoman,  purchased 
100  acres  of  land  in  Bristol  Township,  from  Jacob  Shumaker, 
(or  Shoemaker),*  and  on  Sept.  6,  1705,  he  bought  another 
tra(5t  in  the  same  Township,  from  the  said  Shoemaker. 

On  "29,  gber,  1705,"  Heifert  Papen  of  Germantown, 
conveyed  two  tradls  of  land  in  Germantown,  one  parcel  of 
2 1  %  acres  and  another  of  28  ^ ,  containing  together  50  acres, 
to  Samuel  Richardson,  Richard  Townsend,  Thomas  Potts, 
Sr.,  and  Samuel  Cart,  all  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  yeo- 
men. Thomas  Potts,  Sen.,  by  a  deed  dated  0(5t.  2,  1707, 
sold  and  set  over  his  interest  in  these  two  tracts  to  the  other 
three  partners.  On  0<5tober  8,  17 11,  Samuel  Richardson, 
Richard  Townsend  and  Samuel  Cart,  in  consideration  of 
j^2oo,  executed  a  deed,  conveying  this  same  50  acres  in 
German  township,  to  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  Thomas  Canby, 


*  Note.  On  June  17,  1659,  Jacob  Shoemaker  made  a  deed  to  John  Moore  for  land 
in  Bristol  Township,  which  is  partially  described  as  "Bounded  Easterly  by  for- 
mer land  of  said  John  Moore,  Southerly  by  the  City  Liberties,  Westerly  by  the 
said  Jacob's  Land  sold  to  his  Brother-in-Law  Thomas  Potts,  and  northerly  by 
Land  of  Samuel  Richardson,  as  the  same  is  adlually  divided."  As  Thomas  Potts 
was  then  unmarried,  (we  believe),  to  have  been  brothers-in-law,  Jacob  Shoema- 
ker must  have  married  Thomas  Potts'  sister.  This  view  is  supported  by  the  fa(fl 
^hat  Jacob  Shoemaker's  children  .signed  Potts  marriage  certificates  among  rela- 
tives, and  were  in  other  ways  associated  with  the  Potts  family.  Jacob  Shoema- 
ker's wife's  name  was  Margaret.     He  capie  to  Peni^sylvania  in  1685,  a  siqgle  njap.. 


2o8  The  Potts  Family  ix  America, 

the  Within  named  Thomas  Potts  sine  Seal  &  Deliuer  y"-'  within  Instru- 
ment for  y6  vse  within  mentioned.  Peter  Bard 

Isaac  De  Cow 

No  deeds  of  conveyance  of  this  property  have  come  to  the 
notice  of  the  compiler,  and  neither  the  date  of  purchase  nor 
sale  can  be  given.  Stony  Brook  is  a  short  distance  south  of 
the  town  of  Princeton,  and  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
Cotmty  of  Mercer. 

Thomas  Potts  returned  to  Pennsylvania  from  Maryland 
in  about  a  year  and  a  half,  and  on  6  mo.  26,  171 7,  the  min- 
utes of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  contain  this  record. 

Thomas  Potts  produced  a  Certificate  from  Treadevan  in  Maryland 
which  was  read  and  accepted. 

He  subsequentl}'  made  one  or  two  other  visits  to  Friends 
to  the  southward.  On  6  mo.  25,  17 18,  a  Monthly  Meeting 
minute  .show^s  that 

Thomas  Potts  acquainted  friends  that  he  is  minded  to  travail  Down 
Towards  y^  Capes  of  Delaware  &  Desires  a  Certificate  :  The  Meet- 
ing Do  appoint  Dennis  Cundras  &  John  Lucan  to  make  Enquiry  how 
he  leaves  his  Bussiness. 

He  was  frequently  appointed  to  attend  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings, and  on  12  mo.  23,  1718,  he  was  appointed  "to  visit 
families." 

On  I  mo.  30,  1 71 9,  is  this  entry,  which  probably  refers 
to  an  intended  visit  to  the  southward. 

At  this  Meeting  things  was  found  Clear  Relating  to  Tho^  Potts  and 
a  Certificate  was  granted  him. 

On  his  return  this  minute  was  entered  on  5  mo.  27,  17 19, 

At  this  Meeting  Thomas  Potts  having  lately  Returned  fro:  traveling 
in  Meryland  &  Virginia  Produced  a  Certificate  from  Treadaven 
Monthly  Meeting. 

Thomas  Potts  did  not  survive  long  after  his  return  from 
this  visit,  as  he  died  before  Odlober  [8  mo.]  3,  17 19,  the  date 
on  which  his  will  was  probated.  He  was  undoubtedly  a 
man  of  rare  worth  and  exemplary  charadler.     William  Penn 


Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family.  209 

calls  him  "  honest  Thomas  Potts,"  and  an  estimate  of  his 
characler  may  be  gathered  from  the  Penn  and  Logan  Cor- 
respondence. 

The  age  of  Thomas  Potts  has  not  been  ascertained.  As 
he  signs  as  a  witness  to  a  marriage  certificate  in  16S6,  it  is 
probable  that  he  was  then  a  well  grown  youth  or  a  young 
man.  When  he  purchased  land  in  1692,  he  must  have  been 
above  twenty  one  j^ears  of  age.  It  seems  reasonable  to  con- 
clude that  he  was  at  least  forty  old  when  he  married  Judith 
Smith  in  1712,  and  fifty  years  or  over  when  he  died. 

Thomas  Potts  left  a  will,  dated  3  mo.  [May],  6,  1719. 
It  was  proven  Oclober  3,  [719,  and  is  recorded  in  the  Reg- 
ister's office  at  Philadelphia  in  Will-Book  D,  p.  133.  The 
following  is  a  cop}'  taken  from  the  original  will  remaining 
on  file  in  the  said  office. 

The  Will  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller). 

I  Thomas  Potts  of  Bristol  Township  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
being  at  Present  in  good  Health  of  Body  and  Well  in  Mind  and  INIem- 
ory,  Praised  be  the  Lord  for  his  Goodness  &  Mercy  towards  me.  Con- 
sidering the  Uncertainty  of  this  transitory  Life,  I  thought  good  to 
make  my  Last  Will  and  Testament  concerning  m^-  Worldly  Estate 
which  the  Lord  hath  been  pleased  to  bestow  up  on  me,  in  manner  fol- 
lowing. 

Imprimis,  My  Will  is,  that  all  my  Just  Debts  be  Duly  paid  bj-  mine 
Executors  hereafter  named,  as  soon  as  possible. 

Secondlj-,  My  Will  is,  that  my  Dear  and  Loving  Wife  Judith  Potts 
shall  have  hold  and  Enjo%-  all  and  singular  mine  Estate  Real  and  Per- 
sonal together  with  the  Profits  thereof.  During  the  Minority  or  Nonage 
of  my  Son  Thomas  Potts  Jun'.  whom  I  also  leave  to  her  Care  &  Tui- 
tion, hereby  nominating  and  appointing  my  s<i  Wife  Tutrix  to  him, 
until  such  time  as  he  shall  attain  his  age  of  One  and  Twenty  Years. 

And  then,  Thirdly-,  my  Will  is,  that  after  he  arrives  to  sd  Age,  ni}- 
aforesaid  Dear  &  loving  Wife  shall  have  One  third  part  of  my  Real 
Estate  during  her  natural  Life,  As  also  One  third  part  of  my  Personal 
Estate  to  her  self,  her  heirs  and  Assigns  whomsoever.  The  Other 
tw^o  parts  of  mine  Estate,  Real  and  Personal,  I  give,  devise  and  Be- 
queath to  my  sd  Son  Thomas  Potts  Jun''.  his  heirs  and  Assigns  for 
Ever.  And  of  this  my  last  Will  &  Testament  I  make  and  Ordain 
27 


2IO  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Joint  Executors  my  sd  Wife  Judith  Potts,  her  Brother  in  Law  Samuel 
Bowne*  of  Flushing  upon  lonj^  Island,  husbandman,  and  Joseph  La- 
tham of  the  City  of  New  York,  Ship  Wright,  hereby  giving  them  my 
full  Power  and  Authority  to  Sell  and  Dispose  of  my  Real  Estate  to 
such  person  or  persons,  as  they  shall  think  Convenient,  and  to  Sign, 
Seal,  Deliver  and  Acknowledge  Deeds  of  Sale  to  the  Purchaser  of  the 
Same  according  to  Law. 

Finally,  I  revoke  and  Disannull  all  former  Wills  and  Legacies  by 
me  in  any  wise  made  and  Bequeathed,  Declearing  this  and  no  other 
to  be  my  Last  Will  and  Testament. 

In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and  Seal  the 
Sixth  day  of  the  third  Month,  called  May,  Anno  Domi  One  thousand 
Seven  hundred  and  nineteen. 


Signed,   Sealed,    Pub- 
lished   and    Declared/'         r^-^^ C^  lAI^/r-4M    i^^^'^) 

by  the  Testator  above Ut  C     C-/  I 

named  in  the  presence 
of    Griffith  Jones 

Samuel  Pastorius 

Fra:  Daniel  Pastorius 


^"^ 


In  a  note  filed  with  the  will  and  other  papers,  Fra  :  Da  : 
Pastorius  states  that  he  wrote  the  will  of  Thomas  Potts, 
Sen^  Other  memoranda  show  the  following  dates,  "  In- 
ventory Exhibited  lo  8*"'  1719."  "  Account  made  29  y'"" 
1720."  "Account  Exhibited  27  1722,"  The  following 
is  a  copy  of  the  account  filed, 

A  true  ace'  of  Judith  Potts  Executrix  of  Thomas  Potts,  Late  of 
Bristol  Township  in  the  County  of  Philad*  in  the  Province  of  Pensil- 
vania,  deceas'd,  as  well  as  what  he  owed  at  the  time  of  his  death  as  of 
her  disbursements  &  which  is  as  followeth,  \nz' 

To  James  Dellworth  /  4  18     — 

To  Walter  Simmans  7    — 

To  Peter  Shoemaker    6     — 

To  Jn"  &  Daniel  Potts  16  13     — 

To  Joseph  Gray  4  3     — 

To  Thomas  Roberts  i  10    — 

To  Joseph  Wood  8    — 

To  John  Brown  i  5     — 

To  White  Marsey  3    — 


♦  Note.    Samuel  Bowne,  of  Flushing,  married  Hannah  Smith,  sister  of  Judith 
Potts,  10  mo.  8,  1709. 


Thomas  Potts.  (Miller;,  axd  F.^^jijily.        211 

To  Benjamin  Armitage  i       6  — 

To  Henry  Jones • lo  — 

To  Robert  Thomas  ^ 9  — 

To  Richard  Carv-er  ~ 6  — 

To  Dennis  Conard 16  — 

To  John  Worrel  2  S 

To  John  Potts 5     —  — 

To  John  Dilling iS  — 

To  John  Jones  ~ i       4  — 

To  John  Lncan    12     ro  — 

To  William  Bransted  ~ 25  — 

To  Daniel  Potts 15  — 

To  Edman  Orpwood ra  -^ 

To  Doctor  Owen  4  — 

To  Dochor  Witt ..~ ~ 2  d 

To  Peter  Evans  -  i     —  — 

To  Quit  Rent i     —  — 

/5'>     iX     — 
Errors  Except-d  liii?  5  •"  7    •  17*0 
^r  Judetb  Potts 
Exhibited  27th  6  :  1722 

In  1724.  Judith  Potts,  the  widow,  married  Thomas  Sharp, 
as  her  second  husband.  The  minutes  of  Abington  Monthly 
Meeting  of  2  mo.  27.  1724.  has  a  record  of  their  passing 
meeting,  beginning  thus. 

Whereas  Thomas  Sharp  of  West  Jersie  &  Jndith  Potts  Weddow 
having  Declared  their  Intentions  of  i£arriage  with  Each  Other  before 
two  Monthly  Meetings,  etc 

The  marriage  ver^"  likely  took  place  shortly  afterwards. 

Thomas  Sharp  was  a  widower  with  several  grown-up  chil- 
dren. He  died  within  a  few  years  after  this  second  mar- 
riage. His  will  is  recorded  in  Liber  3.  foHo  55,  in  the  De- 
partment of  State  at  Trenton.  He  is  therein  described  as 
"Thomas  Sharp,  of  Xewtown.  Gloucester  County.  West 
Jersey,  yeoman."  The  will  is  dated  8  mo.  5,  1724.  He 
mentions  his  wife  :  his  sons  Thomas.  John.  Samuel  and  Jo- 
seph :  and  daughters  Elizabeth  Hallowell,  Mary  Smith  and 
Sarah  Pearce.       Executors,  ffriends  John  Estaugh  and  Jo- 


212  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

seph  Cooper,  Jr.  Witnesses,  Benjamin  Thackera,  Joseph 
Thackera  and  Mary  Thackera.  Both  persons  named  as  ex- 
ecutors decHned  to  serve,  as  also  did  Judith  Sharp,  the  wid- 
ow. Samuel  Sharp,  one  of  the  sons  was  appointed  admin- 
istrator on  the  —  da}-  of ,  1728. 

There  are  on  record  at  Philadelphia,  several  deeds  for  the 
conveyance  of  lands  in  Bristol  Township,  formerly  proper- 
ty of  Thomas  Potts,  late  deceased.  On  March  i,  1741, 
Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  Township,  Susanna  his  wife,  and 
Judith  Sharp,  formerly  Judith  Potts,  mother  of  the  said 
Thomas,  join  in  a  mortgage,  covering  one  hundred  acres  in 
said  township,  in  favor  of  Mary  Carter.  In  1744  and  174S, 
Judith  Sharp,  Thomas  Potts,  Jr. ,  and  Susanna,  his  wife, 
heirs  of  Thomas  Potts,  Sr. ,  join  in  deeds  for  the  sale  of 
lands  in  Bristol  Township  to  Robert  Strettel. 

James  Logan,  on  April  4,  1718,  purchased  a  one  fourth 
interest  in  the  "  Potts  Corn  Mill,"  in  Bristol  Township,  for 
;^2oo.  The  property  included  fifteen  acres  of  land.  The 
Pen7isylvania  Gazette  for  April  2,  1744,  contained  an  adver- 
tisement for  the  sale  of  Potts'  Mill,  Another  advertisement 
appeared  August  21,  1746. 

Judith  Sharp  died  about  June,  1749.  Her  will  is  dated  2 
mo.  6,  1648,  and  was  proven  July  8,  1749.  It  is  recorded 
at  Philadelphia,  in  Will-Book  — ,  folio  — .  The  will  opens 
as  follows, 

Be  it  Remembered  that  I,  Judith  Sliarp,  of  Bristol  township  in  the 
county  of  Philadelphia  &  province  of  Pensilvania,  widow,  being  an- 
tient  &  sometimes  Indisposed  in  body.  But  through  Mercy  am  at  the 
signing  &  publication  hereof  of  sound  mind  &  memory.  Ha\-ing  sev- 
eral grand  Children,  I  have  thought  proper  to  Distribute  some  part  of 
my  substance  among  them  by  this  my  last  will  &  Testament  in  man- 
ner following.     That  is  to  say,  etc. 

She  enumerates  divers  articles  of  personal  property  which 
she  diredls  shall  be  given  to  each  of  her  grandchildren  when 
they  become  of  age  or  marry.      She  names  them  in  this  or- 


Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family.        213 

der,  Hannah  Potts,  John  Potts,  Rachel  Potts,  Lydia  Potts, 
Rebecca  Potts  and  Jasper  Potts.  To  the  grandson  John 
Potts,  she  gave  "  a  Black  walnut  chest,  a  Silver  cup,  a  sil- 
ver .seal  *  &  a  Bible.     She  further  says, 

All  the  rest  of  my  moveables  or  personals  or  Estate  whatsoever,  I 
give  &  bequeath  the  same  to  my  beloved  son  Thomas  Potts,  who  in 
conjunction  with  my  esteemed  friends  Thomas  Royjerts,  Jn'"  &  John 
Roberts,  both  of  the  township  aforesd,  I  appoint  as  Executors. 

On  3  mo.  20,  1749,  she  added  this  codicil, 

Mkmor.\ndum.  Whereas  I  the  said  Judith  Sharp,  having  in  the 
body  of  this  will  given  &  bequeathed  to  ni}-  son  Thomas  Potts,  th^j 
Residue  of  my  estate,  not  before  given  to  my  grand  children,  my  will 
is  therefore  that  in  lieu  of  the  s'*  Residue  in  my  s''  Will  given  to  him 
my  s''  son  Tho^  Potts,  I  do  hereby  give  &  bequeath  unto  him  the  sum 
of  Five  Shillings  current  money  of  this  province  in  full  of  his  part  of 
my  Estate,  and  the  Remainder  of  my  Estate  I  give  &  bequeath  to  all 
my  Grand  Children  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  them,  provided 
nevertheless  that  my  Daughter  in  law  Susana  Potts  shall  have  the  use 
thereof  during  her  natural  life,  and  she  shall  not  be  accountable  for 
my  horse  &  two  Cows  as  the}'  are  perishable.  My  Will  is  that  this  be 
added  as  a  codicil  to  my  last  will  &  Testament.  In  witness  whereof  I 
have  set  my  hand  &  seal  this  twentieth  day  of  third  month  1749. 

The  appraisement  was  made  by  Thomas  Rose  and  John 
Roberts  and  amounted  to  ^49  12  4.  Thomas  Roberts,  Jr., 
and  John  Roberts  both  declined  to  serve  as  executors,  and 
letters  were  issued  to  Thomas  Potts. 

Child  of  Thomas  and  Judith  (Smith)  Potts. 
2     Thomas  Potts,  b.  about  1713;  d.  about  1751;  m.  Susanna . 


2     Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,*  (Bristol),   (Thomas,*),  son  of 
Thomas  and  Judith  (Smith)  Potts,   was  born  about  1713,  it 

is  suppo.sed.     About  1732,  he  married  Susanna .     The 

marriage  was  accomplished  in  a  manner    ' '  contrary  to  Dis- 


*  Note.  This  silver  seal  is  probably  the  same  used  by  Judith  Sharp  in  connec- 
tion with  her  .si,^nature  to  her  will.  The  seal  attached  to  the  will  consists  of  the 
initials  T  P,  witTi  three  circles  underneath  and  a  heart  suspended  from  the  middle 
one. 


214  The  Potts  Familv  in-  Amkrica, 

cipline  of  fr"''."  and  on  i  mo.,  26,  1733,  the>-  made  an  ac- 
knowledgment for  their  ' '  Disorderly  Walking,"  which  waj^ 
accepted.  This  shows  that  Susanna  was  also  a  Friend,  but 
her  maiden  name  is  not  given.  They  resided  in  Bristol 
Township,  and  when  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  distinc- 
tion, he  will  be  referred  to  as  "Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Bris- 
tol)." 

He  died  about  the  early  part  of  1751.  and  letters  of  ad- 
ministration were  issued  to  Susanna  Potts,  his  widow,  Ma\- 
29,  1 75 1.  Susanna  Potts  did  not  long  remain  a  widow,  as 
on  Dec.  24,  1751.  she  married  Job  Comptoo.  The  records 
of  Abington  Presbyterian  Church  have  a  minute  of  the  mar- 
riage. No  further  account  of  Job  and  Susanna  Compton 
has  been  found  in  Pennsylvania,  and  it  is  supposed  that 
they  removed  to  New  Jersey,  possibly  to  Somerset  County, 
where  the  Compton  famil}-  have  long  been  established.  It 
was  in  this  County  that  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  formerly 
owned  land  and  mills.  No  will  or  letters  of  administration 
of  either  Job  or  Susanna  Compton  has  been  found.  Within 
the  present  Centun.-,  two  persons  named  Job  Compton  have 
died  in  Somerset  County,  but  the  Job  Compton,  who  mar- 
ried Susanna  Potts,  belonged  to  an  earlier  generation  than 
either  of  these. 

Children  of  Tbom.\s.  Jr.,  and  Susanka  t ;>  Potts. 

3  Hannah  Potts. 

4  John  Potts, 

5  Rachel  Pott». 

6  Lydia  Potts. 

7  Rebecca  Potts. 

8  Jasper  Potts,  m.  Man-  Dellsil.  April  7,  1771. 

4    John  Potts,*  (Thomas,'  Thomas,'),  son  of  Thomas 

and  Susanna  ( )  Potts,   may  be  the  same  who  married 

Merc>'  King,  and  lived  at  King%vood  in  (now)  Hunterdon 
County,  New  Jersey.  John  Potts,  of  King^vood,  will  be 
treated  of  below. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  and  Family.         215 

6  Lydia  Potts,'    (Thomas,*  Thomas,'),    daughter   of 

Thomas  and  Susanna  ( )  Potts,  may  be  the  same  who 

married  John  Pinkertou,  by  license,  Feb.  27,  1762.  She 
survived  her  husband  and  died  in  18 11.  Her  will  dated 
Sep.  8,  1811,  and  proven  Nov.  11,  1811,  is  recorded  in  Will- 
Book  4,  page  16,  at  Philadelphia.  She  is  described  as  wid- 
ow, of  Philadelphia,  and  mentions  son  John  and  his  chil- 
dren L3'dia  and  Elsie  ;  also  her  daughters  Rebecca  Carnes(?) 
and  Sarah  McGreggor.  Witnesses,  Charles  Widdis(?)  and 
John  Ashniead. 

7  Rebecca  Potts,^  (Thomas,*  Thomas,'),  daughter  of 

Thomas  and  Susanna  ( )  Potts,  seems  to  be  the  same 

who  married  Rev.  Nicholas  Cox,  at  Philadelphia,  March  14, 
1764.*  Nicholas  Cox  was  born  March  24,  1742,  in  New 
Castle  County-,  Delaware.  He  entered  the  Baptist  ministry 
at  Philadelphia  in  1771,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Kingwood,  Hunterdon  Count}',  New  Jersey,  in 
1784-t 

Children  of  Rev.  Nicholas  .vsd  Rebecca  (Potts)  Cox. 


i 

John  Cox. 

ii 

Martha  Cox. 

iii 

William  Cox. 

iv 

Elizabeth  Cox. 

V 

Lydia  Cox. 

vi 

Susanna  Cox. 

\-ii 

Thomas  Cox. 

\-iii 

David  Cox. 

ix 

Benjamin  Cox. 

8    Jasper  Potts,»  (Thomas,*  Thomas,'),  son  of  Thom- 
as and  Susanna  ( )  Potts,    married  Mary  Dellsil,,  at 

Philadelphia,  April  7,  ly-ji.  I     He  seems  to  have  settled  in 

*  See  Records  of  First  Baptist  Church,  Philadelphia. 

+  See  Morgan  Edwards  Materials  for  a  History  of  the  .A.merican  Baptists. 

J  See  Records  of  the  SL  Michael  and  Zion  Church,  Philadelphia. 


2i6  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

New  Jersey,  and  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  holding 
the  rank  of  Corporal. -'^ 


I  John  Potts,  (Kingwood).t  A  John  Potts  was  settled 
at  Kingwood  in  Hunterdon  County.  New  Jersey,  who  is  be- 
lieved to  have  been  John  the  son  of  Thomas,  Jr.,  and  Su- 
sanna ( )  Potts,    of    Bristol  Township,    Philadelphia 

County,  Pennsj'lvania,  though  the  proof  of  such  relation- 
ship is  yet  incomplete.  There  seems  to  be  no  other  John 
for  this  place,  and  one  or  more  of  Thomas  and  Susanna's 
children  are  known  to  have  settled  in  New  Jersey.  Also, 
this  John  Potts  was  neighbor  to,  and  closely  associated 
with,  other  Potts'  from  Pennsylvania. 

John  Potts  married  Mercy  King,  daughter  of  William  and 
Abigail  (Doughty)  King.  She  was  born  June  4,  1738. 
They  lived  at  Kingwood,  not  far  from  Pittstown.  John 
Potts  was  probably  a  farmer,  and  was  a  neighbor  to  Daniel 
Potts,  a  native  of  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  County, 
Pennsylvania.  In  1797,  he  went  on  the  refunding  bond  of 
Rebecca  (Emley)  Potts,  widow  of  his  late  neighbor  Daniel 
Potts.  So  far  as  known  John  and  Mercy  Potts  had  but  two 
children. 

Children  of  John  and  Mercy  (King)  Potts. 

2  Joseph  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1837;  m.  ist,  Sarah  Mott,   2d  Catharine 

3  WilHam  King  Potts,  b.  April  26,  1765  ;  d,  1840  ;  m.  Jane  Mason. 


2  Joseph  Potts, 2  (John,^),  son  of  John  and  Mercy 
(King)  Potts,  married,  first,  Sarah  Mott,  daughter  of  Sol- 
omon and  Elizabeth  (Emley)  Mott,  of  Quakertown,  June  2, 
1 781.     She  died  about  18^,  and  Jo.seph  married  as  a  second 

*  See  Strj-kers's  Jerseymen  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

+  Note.    The  account  of  the  descendants  of  John  Potts  was  furnished  by  Dr. 
James  W.  Moore,  of  I.afayette  College,  Haston,  Pa. 


Thomas  Potts,   (Millkr),  and  Family.         217 

wife,  Catharine .     He  was  a  tanner  and  removed  from 

Hunterdon  Countv  to  Mansfield,  Warren  County,  where  he 
died  about  iS^^-.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  Mansfield  grave- 
yard, just  back  of  where  the  old  church  used  to  stand.  In 
his  will,  he  mentions  his  wife  Catharine  and  each  of  his 
children  except  Elisha  who  may  have  died  previously. 

Children  o^  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Motx)  Potts. 

4  Rev.  John  Potts,  h. ;  d.  Sep.  22,  1S37;  in. — . 

5  Charles  Potts. 

6  Elisha  Potts. 

7  Klizabeth  Potts,  ni.  John  Barnes. 

8  Amy  Potts,  m.  Barnabas  Olph. 

9  Nancy  Potts,  b.  1784;  d.  Sept.  4,  1867;  ni.  Isaac  Smith, 
to  Lucy  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Thompson. 

11  vSarah  Potts,    b.  jNIay  23,  1792;   d.  May  26,  1883;   m.  Jas.  Walms- 

12  Mary  Potts,    m.  William  Miller.  [lev. 


3  William  King  Potts,*  (John,'),  son  of  John  and 
Mercy  (King)  Potts,  was  born  April  26,  1765.  He  mar- 
ried Jane  Mason,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Mason.  She 
was  born  Januar}-  12,  1769.  William  King  Potts  died  about 
1S40. 

Children  of  William  King  and  Jank  (Mason)  Potts. 

13  John  Mason  Potts,  b.  Nov.  26,  1798;  m. Mason. 

14  Joseph  King  Potts,  b;  July  16,  1800;  m,  Margaret  White. 

15  Thomas  S.  Potts,  b.  June  25,  1802;  m.  Sarah  Brown. 

16  Charles  Potts,  b.  Atigust  2,  1805;  d.  Dec.  19,  1^23. 

17  Sarah  Potts,   b.  Otftober  7,  1807;  d.  Dec.  19,  18 — ■;  m.  Nathaniel 

Britton,  of  Frenchtown,  New  Jersey. 


4  Rev.  John  Potts, ^  (Joseph, *  John,*)  son  of  Joseph 
and  Sarah  (Mott)  Potts,  was  a  distinguished  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  well  known  in 
New  Jersey,  New  York,  Maryland  and  Delaware.     In  181 3 

28 


2i8  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

he  was  admitted  on  trial  by  the  Philadelphia  Conference, 
and  assigned  to  Freehold,  and  in  1 8 14  to  Sussex.  In  18 15, 
he  was  received  into  full  connecflion,  ordained  deacon,  and 
appointed  to  Northampton.  He  afterwards  had  the  follow- 
ing appointments,  1816,  Essex  and  Staten  Island  ;  1817, 
Caroline,  Chesapeake  Distridt ;  1818,  made  Elder,  Union 
Church,  Philadelphia;  1819,  Bergen;  1820-1,  Burlington; 
1822-3,  Wilmington,  Delaware  ;  1824-5,  Trenton  ;  1826-7, 
Bridgetown;  1828-9,  Salem  ;  1 830-1,  Morristown  ;  1832-3, 
Paterson  ;  1834-6,  Presiding  Elder,  South  Philadelphia 
Distri(5l ;  1836-7,  superannuated.  He  was  married  and  had 
one  daughter.     He  died  Sep.  22,  1837,  at  Mt.  Holly,  N.  J. 


14  Joseph  King  Potts,'  (William  King,^  John,'),  son 
of  William  King  and  Jane  (Mason)  Potts,  was  born  July 
16,  1800.     He  married  Margaret  White. 

CH11.DREN  OF  Joseph-King  and  Margaret  (White)  Potts. 

18  Elijah  Potts. 

19  Mary  Potts,  b.  June  20,  1827. 


15  Thomas  S.  Potts,'  (William  King,' John,'),  son  of 
William  King  and  Jane  (Mason)  Potts,  was  born  June  25, 
1802.  He  married  Sarah  Brown,  daughter  of  George  and 
Mary  Brown.  She  was  born  Feb.  9,  1798,  and  died  Nov. 
8,  1868. 

Children  of  Thomas  S.  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Potts. 

20  Mary  Jane  Potts,   b.  June  13,  1835. 

21  Samuel  W.  Potts,  b.  August  12,  1836;  d.  September  2,  1836. 

22  William  B.  Potts,  b.  Aug.  28,  1838;  m.  Sarah  Aun  Bush.    Chil- 

dren. 23  Sarah  E.,  b.  May  2,  18 — ;  24  Irwin,  b,  Mar.  9,  1S70; 
25  Thomas,  b.  Nov.  4,  187 1;  26  Egbert  B.,  b.  July  4,  1873; 
27  George  A.,  b.  Dec.  18,  1S75. 


Thomas  Potts,  (Millkr),  and  Family.        219 

Below  is  given  a  tabulated  pedigree  of  the  descendants  of 
Thomas  Potts,  (Miller).  While  this  is  thought  to  be  cor- 
real, it  must  be  remembered  that  the  connedlion  after  the 
third  generation  is  not  fully  proven,  as  will  be  seen  by  ref- 
erence to  the  text. 


Pedigree  of  Thomas  Potts,  ( Miller), 's  Family. 


Thomas  Potts=^ Judith  Smith=Thom.\s  Sharp, 
In  Penu.  1686    I      b. 
tn.  1712  d,  1740 

d.  1719  I 


I 
Thomas  Potts=Susanna 
b.  1713  I 

d.  1751 


^Job  Compton. 


II  I   i  I  I 

Hannah  Potts  Rachel  Potts  Rebecca= Nicholas         Jasper=Mary 

John=Mercy  King    I,ydia=^John  I    Cox  Dellsil 

I  Pinkerton 


I     I     i 
John  Pinkerton 
Rebecca  Carnes 
Sarah  McGreogor 


Mill 

John  Cox 
Martha  Cox 
William  Cox 


II    I    I 

Susanna  Cox 
Thomas  Cox 
David  Cox 


Elizabeth  Cox      Benjamin  Cox 
Lydia  Cox 


Joseph  Potts=Sarah  Mott 
I  =2  Catharine 

TTi              nrr          '  rri 

Rev.  John  Potts       Elizabeth  Potts  Lucv  Potts 

Charles  Potts           Amy  Potts  Sarah  Potts 

Elisha  Potts             Naiicy  Potts  Mary  Potts 


William  King  Potts=Jane  Mason 


II  I  II 

John  M.  Potts= Mason  Thomas  S,  Potts=Sarah  Brown        Charles  Potts 

oseph  K.  Potts=^Marg't  White  I  Sarah  Potts 


Elijah  Potts    Mary  Potts  Marv  Jane  Potts 

Samuel  W.  Potts 


William  B.  Potts=Sarah  Ann 
I    Bush 


^     I  I  I  I  I 

Sarah  K.  Potts      Irwin  Potts      Thomas  Potts      Egbert  B.  Potts      George  A.  Potts 


220  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County. 


I  Jonas  Potts  is  first  noticed  m  Pennsylvania  as  a  wit- 
ness to  the  marriage  certificate  of  John  Austin  and  Jane 
Potts,  9  mo.  II,  1686.*  He  was  a  resident  of  Germantown, 
Philadelphia  County,  and  vicinity  for  a  number  of  years, 
where  lie  sometimes  held  local  offices  under  the  government. 
Later  he  settled  on  land  in  Gilbert's  Manor,  not  far  from  the 
present  town  of  Royersford  in  Montgomery  County.  He 
was  a  party  to  several  transaclioi.s  in  the  purchase  and  sale 
of  lands  in  Philadelphia  County. 

Among  different  lines  of  descendants  are  several  tradi- 
tions, which  probably  have  some  elements  of  truth  in  them, 
as  well  as  inaccuracies.  One  tradition  alleges  that  Jonas 
Potts  came  from  England  in  the  sixteenth  [seventeenth] 
century  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Another  claims  that 
the  first  of  tlie  family  came  to  Pennsylvania  with  William 
Penn.  Another  alleges  that  the  first  Potts  settlers  in  Penn- 
sylvania came  from  Wales,  emigrating  from  there  on  ac- 
count of  religious  persecution.  All  agree  that  the  first  set- 
tlers were  Friends  or  Quakers. 

By  a  deed  dated  June  12,  1693,  he  purchased  133 'o  acres 
of  land  in  Cheltenham  Township,  Philadelphia  [now  Mont- 
gomery] County,  from  Jacob  Tellner.f  This  was  part  of  a 
larger  tract,  originally  granted  to  Edward  Jefferson,  of  Ash- 
well,   County  Hereford,   England,  malster,  and  Mercy,  his 


*  See  page  198,  ante. 

t  Note.  This  deed  does  not  seem  to  be  on  record,  but  is  referred  to  in  the  dee.l 
of  sale  of  t'lie  same  property,  recorded  in  Deed-Book  80,  page  574,  in  the  Recorder  -^ 
Office  at  Norristown,  Tennsylvania. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County.         221 

wife.  The  said  Jefferson  d\'ing,  his  widow.  Mercy,  married 
Thomas  Phillips,  and  they  conveyed  to  Francis  Richardson 
in  1684,  who  conveyed  400  acres  to  Jacob  Tellner  in  1688, 
and  now  the  said  Jacob  Tellner  conve3's  one  third  thereof 
to  Jonas  Potts,  as  above  stated.  The  tax-list  of  Philadel- 
delphia  County  for  1693,  (the  earliest  known  tobeinexist- 
ance),  contains  an  entrj'  of  "Thomas  Whitton  &  Jonas 
Potts."   assessed  together  in  Cheltenham  Township. 

By  a  deed  dated  December  8,  1701,  Jonas  Potts  sold  this 
land  in  Cheltenham,  to  James  Williams,  of  Darby,  Chester 
County,  blacksmith,  for  ^60,  and  appointed  David  1,1  oyd, 
his  attorney  to  acknowledge  the  same  in  Court,  which  was 
done  on  March  ist,  following.  The  witnesses  to  the  deed 
were,  William  Hudson,  John  Bond,  and  David  lyloyd.  It 
is  recorded  at  Norristown,  in  Deed-Book  80,  page  574.  It 
is  a  little  singular  and  worthy  of  notice  that,  though  the 
deed  was  made  in  1 701.  it  was  not  recorded  until  the  year 
1 85 1,  or  one  hundred  and  fifty  3-ears  afterward. 

Jonas  Potts  held  the  office  of  Ranger  for  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  his  term  of  office  expiring  in  1702.  He  also 
held  the  office  of  Court  Sheriff  for  Germantown  at  one  time. 
He  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  determination,  and  per- 
haps of  an  impetuous  temperament,  as  upon  one  occasion, 
in  making  arrest,  it  is  said  that  he  handled  the  man  so 
roughl}'  as  to  have  almost  killed  him. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  but  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  very  adlive  in  meeting  affairs.  The 
imperfedt  records  of  the  early  Meetings  do  not  show  a  very 
clear  record  of  his  consecutive  connedlion  with  the  Society. 
He  seems  to  have  been  under  the  care  of  Abington  Month- 
ly Meeting,  but  later  in  life  maj-  have  resorted  to  Gwynedd, 
or  some  Meeting  in  that  vicinity. 

About  the  year  1703,  Jonas  Potts  seems  to  have  been  in 
straitened  circumstances,   perhaps  by  reason  of  his  wife's 


222  The  Potts  Family  ix  America. 

long  continued  illness.     Radnor  Monthly  Meeting  minutes 
of  2  mo,  8,  1703,   contain  this  entry, 

Gwynedd  friends  have  laid  before  this  meeting  that  Jonas  Potts  & 
his  wife  being  poore,  and  haveing  divers  small  chilldren,  want  assist- 
ance to  buy  a  Cow,  they  formerly  Resorting  or  belonging  to  another 
monthly  meeting,  friends  of  this  meeting  desire  that  they  bring  a  Cer- 
tificate from  that  monthly  meeting  to  the  next  monthly  meeting,  and 
their  Froposall  is  left  to  the  further  Consideration  of  the  meeting. 

At  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  held  3  rao,  13,  1703, 

friends  Conclude  to  collecSl  5^  to  Jonas  Potts  to  lend  him  to  buy  a 
Cow,  that  is  to  say  2£  from  Merion  meeting,  1'  10^  from  Radnor 
meeting,  and  \£  10^  from  Haverford  and  Newtowne  meetings,  and 
he  is  desired  to  bring  a  Cettificate  from  the  monthly  meeting  where 
the}'  formerly  Resorted,  and  the  Colle6lors  appointed  in  the  severall 
meetings  are  desired  to  Colledl  them,  to  be  brought  to  the  next  month- 
ly meeting. 

On  3  mo.  31,  1703,  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  granted 
a  Certificate  to  Jonas  Potts'  wife,  being  removed  to  North 
Wales.  It  has  been  alleged  that  her  parents  lived  at  that 
place.  The  minutes  of  Radnor  Monthly  Meeting  of  5  mo, 
8,  1703,  state  that  "  Mary  Potts  Certificate  from  friends  of 
Dublin  Monthly  Meeting  was  read  in  this  meeting  &  or- 
dered to  be  Recorded."  The  minutes  of  the  same  Monthly 
Meeting  for  6  mo.  12,  1703,  have  this  entry, 

Jonas  Potts  Certificate  not  brought  to  this  meeting,  and  his  wife  be- 
ing weakly  and  sickly,  wanting  present  assistance  and  5^  being 
mostly  Colledled,  as  the  meeting  formerly  appointed,  are  Lent  to  the 
womens  meeting  to  be  given  to  her  assistance,  they  not  haveing  stock 
to  assist  them  at  present. 

The  first  essay  of  the  foregoing  minute  is  crossed  off.  It 
contains  the  name  of  Mary  Potts  as  wife  of  Jonas.  The 
minutes  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  of  i  mo.  31,  1707, 
contain  this  entry, 

Whereas  Jonas  Potts  wife  having  been  a  long  while  Sick  :  whereby 
his  flfamily  Stand  in  great  need  of  Assistance,  Friends  do  appoint 
Dennis  Cunnard  and  Arnold  Klinker  to  assist  y™  with  Some  money 
out  of  their  Subscription, 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County.         223 

On  5  mo.  31,  1 7 10,  Abingtou  Monthly  Meeting  granted 
a  Certificate  to  Jonas  Potts,  "  in  order  for  his  removal  to 
Perquanien, ' '  [Perkiomen] . 

On  Ocftober  2,  1705,  "  Jonas  Potts,  of  Germantown,  plan- 
ter," purchased  from  "Arnold  Koster,  of  Germantown, 
bricklayer,"  two  tracis  of  land,  aggregating  50  acres,  for 
/^27.*  One  of  these  tracTis  was  described  as  containing  20-;/; 
acres,  in  the  inhabited  part  of  Germantown  ;  and  the  other 
as  containing  29^^  acres  of  side  land.  These  were  parts  of 
a  large  tradl  of  land  originally  granted  b}^  the  Proprietor  to 
Benjamin  Furley,  in  1682.  Benjamin  Furley  conveyed  200 
acres  thereof  to  John  Luken,  June  8,  1683.  John  Luken 
and  Mar}'  his  wife  sold  to  Eve  Bellinge,  3  mo.  8,  1697,  and 
he  sold  the  two  tracfls  of  50  acres  to  Paul  Engell,  12  mo.  i, 
1697-8.  Paul  Engell  sold  to  Arnold  Koster,  3  mo.  13,  1699, 
who  in  turn  sold  it  to  Jonas  Potts  as  above  stated. 

On  December  28,  1708,  "Jonas  Potts,  of  Germantown, 
husbandman,"  sold  the  first  mentioned  lot,  "and  now  in 
Tenure  and  occupation  of  the  abovesaid  Jonas  Potts,"  con- 
taining 20 14^  acres,  to  Herman  Casdorp,  for  ^60.  It  was 
described  as  bounded  on  the  south  east  by  lot  of  Isaac  Van 
Sintern,  north  by  lot  of  Jacob  Gottschalk,  14  perches  in 
breadth,  and  extending  from  Germantown  Street,  as  all 
other  lots  "to  y*"  hindermost  line  of  s*^  town."  Jonas 
Potts  made  his  mark,  I  P.f 

On  December  13,  1709,  "Jonas  Potts,  of  Germantown, 
planter,"  in  consideration  of  ^37,  sold  the  other  lot  con- 
taining 29^  acres,  to  Conrad  Rutters.  The  witnesses  were 
Thomas  Potts  and  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius.  Jonas  Potts 
made  his  mark,   1  F.X 

In  the  early  part  of  1708,  Jonas  Potts  became  one  of  the 
bondsmen  of  Jane  (Potts)  Austin,  as  the  administratrix  of 
John  Austin,  her  late  husband.      [See  page  200,  ante] . 

*  See  Deed-Book  B,  2,  page  391,  at  Philadelphia. 

t  See  Deed-Book  E  4,  Vol.  7,  page  194,  at  Philadelphia. 

t  See  Deed-Book  I,  Vol.  11,  page  315,  at  Philadelphia. 


224  'I'he  Potts  Family  in-  Amkrica. 

The  account  book  of  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius,  which  i^ 
still  in  existence,  contains  charges  against  Jonas  Potts  for 
drawing  up  agreements,  bonds,  and  other  legal  papers,  and       i 
for  teaching  his  children. 

On  2  mo-  lo,  1 712,  Jonas  Potts  leased  200  acres  in  Gil- 
bert's Manor,*  from  the  Board  of  Property,  for  a  term  of 
five  years  at  a  5'early  rental  of  /.S,  he  to  have  the  privilege 
of  purchasing  when  the  land  should  be  for  sale.  On  10  mo, 
31,  1 71 2,  the  Board  of  Property  make  a  minute  to  the  effect 
that  Jonas  Potts,  having  obtained  of  the  late  Commissioners, 
a  grant  of  300  acres  in  Gilberts  Manor  for  seven  years  under 
a  certain  rent,  now  applies  for  the  privilege  of  purchasing 
it.  He  is  first  ordered  to  pay  the  arrears  due  on  his  lease, 
and  after  an  exadl  survey  of  the  whole  Manor  has  been 
made,  he  is  to  have  the  preference  over  all  others  in  the 
purchase,  by  paying  as  good  a  price  for  it. 

Minute-Book  H,  of  the  Board  of  Property,  under  date  of 
20th  II  mo.  1 7 13,  contain  the.se  entries, 

James  Hanier,  of  the  County  of  Philad'a,  desiring  to  purchase  300 
Acres  of  Land  in  the  Manner  of  Gilberts,  next  above  that  Part  of  it 
where  Jonas  Potts  is  setled,  upon  a  Lease  granted  him  about  the  Year 
1708,  agrees  to  pay  Seventy-five  Pounds  for  the  same  (or  £2$  per  C.) 
one  Moiety  thereof  in  Three  Months  and  the  other  Moiety  in  Six 
Months  after,  with  Int.  for  s'd  Six  Months,  and  a  Warr't  signed,  dat- 
ed thi  20th  II  mo.  17 13-4. 

Jonas  Potts,  at  the  same  time  with  the  forementioned  James  Hamer, 
desires  that  he  may  Purchase  on  the  same  Terms  those  300  a's  in  Gil- 
berts, which  he  held  5  years  on  Lease  at  ^3,  Old  Currency,  p.  an., 
but  before  tlie  above  mentioned  300  Acres  be  laid  out  J .  Hamer  he  de- 
sires that  50  a's  more  may  be  added  to  the  first  200  a's  at  the  same 
rate,  all  which  is  granted,  and  the  s'd  J.  Hamer  agrees  to  begin  so 
much  Higher  up  provided  that  the  Spott  of  low  Land  which  other- 
wise might  have  fain  within  his  Lines  be  left  to  him,  w^iich  is  mutu- 
ally agreed  between  them.     A  Warr't  to  be  granted. 


*  Note.  The  Manor  of  Gilberts  comprised  the  whole  of  the  present  Town.ship 
of  Upper  Providence,  nearly  all  of  Lower  Providence,  and  parts  of  Perkiomen  ana 
Worcester  Townships,  bisedted  by  Perkiomen  Creek,  in  Montgomery  [formerly 
Philadelphia]  County. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  Couxtv.  225 

Whether  Jonas  Potts  secured  a  full  title  to  this  property 
or  not.  is  not  clear.  Among  his  descendants  in  Virginia, 
is  a  tradition  that  they  are  heirs  to  a  tract  of  land  at  Potts- 
grove,  (?)  Pennsylvania,  which  belonged  to  their  ancestor, 
and  had  never  been  distributed. 

On  6  mo.  31,  1713,  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  granted 
a  Certificate  to  Jonah  [Jonas]  Potts  ' '  in  order  for  his  re- 
moval to  Philadelphia."  The  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meet- 
ing records  the  death  of  Deborah  Potts,  daughter  of  Jonas 
and  Mary,  on  7  mo.  24,  17 iS. 

On  8  mo.  15,  171 9.  a  double  wedd  ng  took  place  at  the 
house  of  Jonas  Potts,  at  which  two  of  his  daughters  were 
married.  In  one  of  the  Certificates,  Jonas  Potts  is  said  to  be 
of  Gilberts  Manor,  and  in  the  other,  of  Perqueoman  Creek. 

About  the  year  1726,  Jonas  Potts  had  a  contracl  for  fur- 
nishing walnut  logs  for  the  Proprietor's  use.  as  appears 
from  an  order,  dated  2d  6  mo. ,  1726,  which  is  recorded  in 
Minute-Book  I,  of  the  Board  of  Property.  Below  is  a  copy 
of  the  order. 

Friend  JON.\s  PoTS  :  I  desire  thee  to  deliver  to  the  bearer  hereof, 
John  Head,  all  those  black  Walnut  Loggs  which  thee  some  time  ago 
secured  for  the  Prop'rs  use,  and  his  rec't  with  this  Order  shall  be  thy 
suflE't  discharge  for  the  same.     From  ffr'd  J.[amks]  S.[teel] 

In  1737.  Jonas  Potts,  of  Limerick,  signed  [by  his  mark] 
a  mortgage,  as  ma}-  be  seen  by  the  Loan  Books  in  the  Re- 
corder's Office  at  Philadelphia. 

The  Pennsylva7iia  Gazette  of  June  13,  1754,  contained  the 
following  advertisement. 

By  \nrtue  of  a  writ  to  me  directed,  -will  be  exposed  to  sale  by  public 
vendue,  about  3  a  clock  on  the  29th  day  of  June,  inst.  at  the  premises, 
a  plantation  \rith  a  messuage  and  grist  mill,  situated  in  Limerick 
township,  bounded  by  the  river  Schuylkill,  by  Mingo  Creek  and  by 
lands  of  Josefih__Burson  and  Jonas  Potts,  a  part  of  which  is  fine  im- 
proved meadow,  with  a  small  piece  of  land  for  a  millrace,  late  the  es- 
tate of  John  Starr  :  taken  in  execution.  Samuel  Morris,  Sheriff. 
29 


226  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Joseph  Burson  was  a  soii-in-law  of  Jonas  Potts,  and  prob- 
ably occupied  land  taken  up  by  George  Burson,  his  father, 
about  17 13.  Joseph  Burson  seems  to  have  removed  to  Vir- 
ginia about  1753. 

It  is  believed  that  Jonas  Potts  was  twice  married,  and 
that  he  had  children  by  both  marriages.*  Both  wives  were 
named  Mary,  but  no  record  of  marriage  nor  an  authentica- 
ted list  of  his  children  has  been  found.  The  names  of  his 
children  as  given  below  is  believed  to  be  correcfl  so  far  as 
has  been  ascertained  at  this  writing.  There  may  have  been 
other  children  not  therein  named.  No  record  of  death  nor 
decedent's  account  of  Jonas  Potts  has  been  found,  and  as 
some  of  his  children  settled  in  Virginia,  he  may  have  fol- 
lowed them  there. 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( )  Potts. 

2  David  Potts,   b.  ;  d.  1768;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth  Jawe  i=aQi2_;  m. 

2d,  Ann  R.  , 

3  Rachel  Potts,  m.  Joseph  Burson,   17 19. 

4  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  William  Heald,   1719. 

5  Hannah  Potts,  (?).t 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( )  Poxxs. 

6  Deborah  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  7  mo.  24,  171S. 

7  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  1714,  (?). 

8  Jonas  Potts,  m.  Mary  Heckathorn. 


2  David  Potts,*  (Jonas,*),  .son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( — ) 
Potts,  was  doubtless  born  at  or  near  Germantown.  He  was 
twice  married,  first  to  Elizabeth  fane^^^^^^'^^ — ,  probably  in 

Pennsylvania  ;  and  second  to  Ann  R. .      He  removed 

to  Virginia,  perhaps  about  1745.       The  record  of  his  chil- 

*  Note.  An  evidence  that  Jonas  Potts  was  twice  married,  is  found  in  the  fat^t 
that  David  Potts  (2)  calls  Jonas  Potts  (8)  his  half-brother,  in  a  deed. 

t  Notk.  Hannah  Potts  is  found  signing  the  marriage  certificates  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  Jonas  Potts,  among  the  near  relatives,  and  for  this  reason  she  is  suppo.scd 
to  have  been  a  daughter  of  Jonas.     We  have  no  further  account  of  her. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County.         227 

dreii  as  given  below,  is  thought  to  be  correct.  David  Potts 
and  his  descendants  will  be  quite  fully  treated  of  in  a  future 
Chapter. 

Children  of  David  and  Elizabeth  }*we  (^Lq^  Potts. 

9     Jonas  Potts,  b.  1726;  d.  176S;  m.  Mar}-  Stroud. 

10  Jonathan  Potts,  m.  Elizabeth . 

1 1  Ann  Potts,  m.  John  VestaL 


12     INIary  Potts,  m Backhouse. 


^R.<r^__) 


Children  of  David  and  Ann\R.<'^( )  Potts. 

13  David  Potts,  m.  ist,  Mary  Thomas;  m.  2d,  Temperance  Heath. 

14  Samuel  Potts,  m.  ist, ;  m.  2d,  Elizabeth  Thomas. 

15  Ezekiel  Potts,  m.  Elizabeth  Mead. 

16  Nathan  Potts,  m.  ist,  Ruth  Clews;  m.  2d,  Eunice  Waller. 

17  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  John  Conard. 

18  Christian  Potts,  m.  Samuel  Pearson. 

19  Susanna  Potts,  m.  Henry  Neer. 

20  Rachel  Potts,  m.  Adam  Swink. 


3     Rachel  Potts,*  (Jonas,*),  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Ma- 
ry ( )  Potts,  married  Joseph  Bursou,  8  mo.  15,  1719. 

Joseph  Burson  is  described  as  "of  Gilberts  Maner  in  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  Batchelor,"  and  Rachel  as  "daugh- 
ter of  Jonas  Potts  of  the  same  place."  The  marriage  took 
place  at  the  house  of  the  bride' s  father.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  witnesses  signing  the  marriage  certificate,  as 
shown  by  the  records  of  Gwynedd  Monthly  Meeting, 

James  How  Jonas  Potts 

James  Clouff  Mary  Potts 

Mary  Clouff  David  Potts 

Joseph  Wells  Josuah  Harlan 

Tho  :  Potts  Hannah  Burson" 

John  Potts  James  Burson  - 

Sam"  Austin  Hannah  Potts 

Mary  Austin  William  Burson- 

James  Hamer  Ann  Burson - 

Jonathan  Potts  Mary  Burson— 

Tho  :  Shoemaker  Sarah  Pointer 


228  The  Potts  Family  in  America, 

Thonms  Gardner  Ht-nrey  Pointer 

Tlio  :  Potts  Mary  Potts 

Lewis  Walker  John  Jemian 

Sam"  Pastorius  Rich"*  Cox 

Andrew  Cramer  John  Chanell 

Hannah  Cramer  Ivdward  IMorgan 

Daniel  Walker  Eliz*  Morgan 

John  Jacob  Caleb  Walton 

John  Bull  Adam  Hanier 

Andrew  Cornish  Jonathan  Woodley 

Edward  Robert  Rees  Potts 

VAiy*  Walker  Eliz*  Anderson 

iSIargaret  Cox  Eliz*  Bull 

Owen  Roger  Mary  Hamer 

John  Evans  vSarali  Hamer 

Joseph  Burson  seems  to  have  been  a  son  of  George  and 
Hannah  (Gooda?)  Burson,  born  12  mo.  25,  1689.^'  The 
advertisement  printed  on  page  225,  afiie,  shows  that  he  had 
land  not  far  from  Jonas  Potts.  He  probably  inherited  land 
taken  up  by  his  father,  George  Burson,  about  171 3.  He 
removed  to  Virginia  about  1753,  as  on  8  mo.  25,  of  that 
year,  Joseph  Burson,  Sen.,  and  Joseph  Burson,  Jun.,  pro- 
duced certificates  to  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends, 
from  Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  in  Pennsylvania.  On 
9  mo.  30,  1758,  he  was  appointed  Overseer  of  Potts'  Par- 
ticular Meeting,  and  was  released  in  1762.  This  Meeting 
was  held  at  the  house  of  David  Potts,  (2). 

In  1770,  he  had  trouble  with  the  executor  of  his  son's  es- 
tate. No  record  of  Joseph  Burson' s  children  has  been  no- 
ticed, but  it  is  probable  that  Joseph  Burson,  Junior,  was  a 
son.  About  the  same  time  that  Joseph  Burson  is  first  no- 
ticed in  Virginia,  George,''  David  and  James  Burson  appear, 
1)Ut  whether  sons  of  Jo.seph  or  not,  has  not  been  learned. 


4     Elizabeth  Potts, ^  (Jonas,'),  daughter  of  Jonas  and 
Mary  ( )  Potts,   married  William  Heald  8  mo.  15,  17 19. 


*  See  records  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County. 


229 


He  is  described  as  "of  Kennett  in  the  Count}-  of  Chester, 
son  of  Samuel,"  and  Elizabeth  as  "spinster,  daughter  of 
Jonas  Potts  of  Perqueonian  Creek."  The  witnesses  who 
signed  the  marriage  certificate  were  the  folio  wins:. 


Thomas  Potts 
Thomas  Potts 
Enoch  Walker 
Thomas  Gardner 
Owen  Roger 
Lewis  Walker 
John  Evans 
Adam  Hamer 
John  Chanell 
Sam"  Pastorius 
Andrew  Crammer 
Hannah  Cramer 
James  Hamer 
Daniel  Walker 
John  Jacobs 
Joseph  Wells 
Andrew  Cornish 
John  Bull 
Edward  Rob^^ 
Eliz=^  Walker 
Eliz*  Anderson 
EHza  Bull 
Mary  Hamer 
Sarah  Hamer 
Jonathan  Woodley 
Rees  Potts 
RoW^  Roberts 


Jonas  Potts 
Mary  Potts 
David  Potts 
Joshua  Harlan 
Jonathan  Potts. 
Aaron  Harlan 
Sarah  Harlan 
Marj'  Harlan 
Samuel  Heald 
Jane  Heald 
Josiah  Taylor 
Thomas  Heald 
John  Heald 
Hannah  Potts 
Mary  Potts 
John  Potts 
Tho  :  Shoemaker 
Jacob  Shoemaker 
Samuel  Austin 
Richd  Cox 
Marg-  Cox 
John  Jerman 
Edward  Morgan 
Eliz*  Morgan 
Mary  Austin 


This  marriage  took  place  at  the  house  of  Jonas  Potts,  and 

-.  many  of  the  witnesses,  as  well  of  this,  as  of  the  marriage  of 

Bl«iabeth  Potts  and  Joseph  Burson,  were  near  relatives.*    It 

is  said  that  after  the  festivities  of  this  double  wedding,  the 


*  Note.  Among  those  related  to  the  brides  may  be  noted,  Jonas  Potts,  father; 
Mary  Potts,  mother  or  step-mother;  David  Potts,  brother  or  uncle,  probably  the 
former;  Hannah  Potts,  supposed  to  be  a  sister.  The  other  Potts',  as  well  as  the 
Shoemakers,  .\ustins.  and  Margaret  ( Potts)  Cox,  all  seem  to  have  been  cousins  of 
the  brides.  The  Hamers  [Hammers]  were  neighbors  of  the  Potts  family,  both  in 
Wales  [See  pages  65  and  67,  ante,]  and  Pennsylvania,  and  may  have  been  related. 
James  Hamer,  of  Gilbert's  Manor,  had  a  wife  Margaret,  and  children,  James, 
Adam,  Margaret,  Marj",  Sarah,  and  Deborah. 


230  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

newly  married  young  couples  left  for  their  respective  homes 
on  horseback,  each  bride  mounted  behind  her  husband. 

William  Heald  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Ban- 
croft) Heald,  and  was  born  2  mo,  20,  1694,  ^t  Eckles  in 
Cheshire,  England.  No  further  record  has  been  found,  ex- 
cept a  mention  of  William  Heald  in  the  minutes  of  Kennett 
Monthly  Meeting  in  1737. 


6    Jonathan    Potts,'    (Jonas,'),    son  (?)   of  Jonas  and 

Mary  ( )  Potts,  born  17 14,  removed  first  to  Virginia, 

and  subsequently  to  Kentuckj-.  His  wife's  name  seems  to 
have  been  Amy.  She  was  born  in  17 18  and  was  living  in 
1790.  They  seem  to  have  had  eight  children,  but  the  names 
of  only  five  have  been  learned.  A  special  Chapter  will  be 
devoted  to  Jonathan  Potts  and  his  family. 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Amy  ( )  Potts. 

21  Nathan  Potts,  b. 

22  Amos  Potts,  b.  Dec.  — ,  1743. 

23  Sarah  Potts,  b.  Jan.  — ,  1745;  m.  Robert  Rowland. 

24  David  Potts,  m.  ist,  Elizabeth  Luna;  m.  2d,  Martha  Short. 

25  Ezekiel  Potts,  b.  Sept.  3,  175S. 


8  Jonas  Potts,^  (Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( — ) 
Potts,  removed  first  to  lyoudoun  Coitnty,  Virginia,  and  la- 
ter to  western  Pennsylvania,  dying  at  Georgetown,  Beaver 
County.     A  separate  Chapter  will  be  devoted  to  Jonas  Potts 

and  his  family. 

ChiIvDren  of  Jonas  and  M.\ry  (Heck.a.thorn)  Potts. 

26  John  Potts,  m.  Snsan . 

27  David  Potts,  m.  Milly  Adams. 

28  Jonas  Potts,  m.  Hannah 


29  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  1757;  d.  1831;  m.  Elizabeth  English. 

30  Nathan  Potts,  b.  1764;  d,  ;  m.  Mary  Chamblin. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County.        231 

31  Joshua  Potts,  b.  1769;  d.  1S50;  m.  Milly  Suver. 

32  Thomas  Potts,  m.  Mary  Martin. 

33  Noah  Potts,  b.  1772;  d.  1856;  m.  Barbara  Heckathom. 


Below  is  given  a  tabular  statement  of  two  generations  of 
the  descendants  of  Jonas  Potts.  While  this  is  probably  in- 
complete, it  is  believed  to  be  correcft  so  far  as  stated.  A 
study  of  the  several  Chapters  treating  of  the  different  lines 
of  this  family,  will  give  a  clearer  understanding. 


Pedigree  of  the  Jonas  Potts  Branch  of  the  Family. 


= Jonas  Potts=Mary 


I  Ml  II 

Elizabeth         |  Rachel= Joseph  Burson  Deborah 

Jane =David=Ann  R.     Elizabeth=Wm.  Heald  Jona- 

Hannah  than=Aniy 


Jonas=Mary 


I    I    I    I 
Jonas  Potts 
Jonathan 
Ann 
Marv 


I  I  I  I  MM 

David  Potts   Elizabeth 
Samuel  Christian 

Ezekiel  Susanna 

Nathan  Rachel 


MM! 

Nathan  Potts 

II    1    1 
John  Potts 

1    1    II 
Nathan 

Amos 

David 

Joshua 

Sarah 

Jonas 

Thomas 

David 

Jonathan 

Noah 

Ezekiel 

TiiK  Potts  Kamha'  ix  Amkrica. 


CHAPTI'R    IX. 


David  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  Coonty. 


I  DAVID  POTTS.  The  time  of  l\is  couiinj;  to  Penn- 
sylvania has  not  heen  learned,  but  he  is  tirst  noticed  as  the 
homlsnian  of  Kli/abeth  (Potts)  Bennett,  as  administratrix, 
of  the  estate  lulninnd  Bennett,  deceased,  her  late  husband. 
The  bond  ^^•as  sig^ied  7  mo.  24.  160^.  He  married  Alice 
Croa.«^dale.  youngest  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Agnes  (Hatli- 
ornthwaite)  Crcxisdale,  i  mo.  22,  169^^-4.  I"  i^95  he  pur- 
chased 150  acres  of  land  in  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia 
County.  He  afterwards  sold  50  acres  of  this  traci,  retaining 
KX^  acres,  u^x^u  which  he  seems  to  have  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  as  a  farmer. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Religious  Society  of  Friends, 
being  attached  to  the  Germantown  Preparative  Meetiufj, 
and  under  the  care  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting,  in  Phil- 
adelphia County.  Hi.s  name  txxnirs  quite  frequently  in  the 
minutes  of  the  Monthly  Meeting,  and  he  was  often  ap- 
pointed to  attend  Quarterly  Meeting. 

He  was  a  man  of  good  standing  in  the  conununity,  and 
was  a  Member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  from  Philadel- 
phia County,  for  the  years  172S.  17:10  and  1730.  He  died 
on  Monday,  Xov.  10.  i7^;o.  while  a  Member  of  the  Assem- 
bly, and  leaving  a  will.  Alice  Croasdale,  his  wife,  was  born 
7  mo.  3,  1073.  The  date  of  her  death  is  not  known,  but 
she  evidently  died  before  her  husband,  as  he  does  not  men- 
tion her  in  his  will. 

P.\RT  III,  of  this  work  will  be  devoted  to  a  full  account 
of  David  Potts  and  his  descendants. 


I)AVri)  I'OTTS,    f)l"    rnTI,Al>i:i,lMIIA  Cot;,VTV.  2;^,'; 

Childrhn  oi'-  iMvii)  AND  Ai,JCH  (Croashai,k)  POTTii. 

J.     Thomas  Potls,  l».  3  tno.  27,  1695;  tn.  Uacliel  jHtiies,  17 15.     Cliil- 
flren,  12  Lydia,  13  Kliwibeth,  14  JonathaJi,  and  possibly  others. 

3  John  Potts,    I).  8  mo.  8,  1696;    d.   1766;   m.   Hlizabeth  McVangh, 

1726.     Children,    r5  John,    16  ThoiiJas,   17  F,li/,ab^th. 

4  Daniel  Potts,   b.  2  mo,  19,  r698;  d.  before  (729;   m.  Sarah  Shoe- 

maker, 1721.     Children,    18  Samuel,   19  Daniel,  20  Rebecca. 
.5     Ivli/babeth  Potts,  b.  lomo.  30,  1699;  m.  Peter  Cleaver,  Jr.,  r722. 
Children,    2r   Mary,  Z2  John,    23  Isaac,    24   K/ekiel.   25  Peter, 
26  Nathan,   27  Ivli/abeth. 

6  Jonathan  Potts,   b,  9  mo.  23,  (701;  m.  Sarah  Wood,  1729. 

7  Mary  Potts,   b.  2  nio,  3,  1703  4,  m.  Jeremiah  McVanj(h,   1727.     , 
^    ,Stf;phen  Potts,  b.  n  mo.  20,  1704  5;  d.  F758;  m.  Anne  — . 

Children,   28  Joseph,   29  Williatn  Rickins,   30  .Sarah 

9     Rebecca  Potts,  t».  rr  mo.  r6,  r7()5-6. 

10     E/.ekiel  Potts,  b.  r  mo.  30,  /708;  d.  I78f;  ni.  rst,  Ma>/daleti  Mil- 
ler, 1734.     Children,  3r  David,  32  William,  33  John,  34  Aqui 
la.  35  (»eorge,  36  Joseph,  37  Kebekah.       Married  2d,   P>arbara 
Vodges,  nee ,  (751.     Children,  38  Klizabeth,  39  Han- 
nah, 40  Sarah. 

!i  Nathan  Potts,  h, ;  d.  1754;  tn.  Jvsther  Rhoads,  (736.  Chil- 
dren, 4 r  Daniel,  42,Stephen,  43Nathan,  44  Alice,  43  Zebnlon. 
46  Isaiah. 


30 


254  'J'"^'  P<yn\s  Family  im  Asikkica. 


CHAPTER    X. 


Thomas  Potts.  Junior,  (Colebrookdale). 


1  THOMAS  POTTS,  Junior,  as  he  vvas  usually  des- 
ignated, seems  to  have  come  to  Pennsylvania,  in  1698-  He 
was  born  in  the  year  1680,  in  Wales,  according"  to  the  tra- 
ditions preserved  in  the  family.  He  was  twice  married,  first 
to  Martha  Keurlis.  and  second  to  Magdalen  Robeson.  For 
several  years  he  was  a  resident  of  Germantown  and  vicinity, 
but  subsequent  to  1726  he  settled  permanently  at  Colebrook- 
dale,  now  included  witliin  the  limits  of  Berks  County.  He 
Was  an  active,  enterprising  and  successful  business  man. 
At  his  coming  to  Peinisylvania,  he  was  unable  to  write,  and 
for  sometime  made  his  mark  to  legal  papers  ;  but  subse- 
(juently  learned  to  write,  and  usually,  if  not  always,  signed 
liis  name  "  Thomas  pothy  When  necessarj^  for  the  sake 
of  distinction,  he  will  be  referred  to  as  "  Thomas  Potts,  Ju- 
nior, CColebrookdale)." 

On  March  7,  1697-8.  David  Powell,  of  the  parish  of 
Nantmell,  and  John  Morris,  of  the  parish  of  Karbadam- 
fyneth,  county  of  Radnor,  Wales,  entered  into  "Articles 
of  ffreightment,"  with  Owen  Thomas,  of  the  "County 
burrough  of  Carmathen,  mercer,  owner  of  the  good  shipp 
called  the  William  rrallev.  now  riding  in  the  river  Towy," 
to  carry  the  said  persons  and  others  to  "  Philadelphia  in 
Pensilvania,"  tlie  said  ship  to  sail  with  "  the  first  and  next 
good  wind  and  weather  that  God  shall  send  after  the  tentli 
of  May  next  ensuing  the  date  above  written."  Pa.ssengers 
above  12  years  of  age  to  l)e  charged  ^5  each,  and  children, 
except  babes,  fifty  .shillings  each.       It  was  further  agreed, 


Thomas  Potts,  Jt.mor,  (ColebrookdaleV       235 

"that  every  master  of  a  famih- among  the  sd.  passengers 
having-  a  wife  and  children,  or  a  considerable  family,  shall 
pay  att  the  time  of  their  going  aboard,  ffive  shillings  en- 
couragement to  the  Doctor  belonging  to  the  said  shipp,  and 
all  single  persons,  except  servants,  pay  one  shilling  apiece." 

The  County  of  Radnor  joins  Montgomery  on  the  south, 
and  the  Parishes  of  Nantmeli  and  Karbadamfyneth  in  Rad- 
nor, are  not  a  long  distance  from  L,langirrig,  L,landinam, 
etc.,  in  Montgomery.  It  is  probable  that  all  this  party  of 
emigrants  were  from  this  section  of  Wales,  and  many  of 
them  relatives  or  neighbors.  The  following  is  the  pa.ssen- 
ger  list,  in  which  only  the  names  of  heads  of  families  or 
contracting  parties  are  given.* 


David  Powell,      for 

II  passengers. 

Thomas  Jermaii,t  for  3  passengers 

John  Morris,          " 

6 

John  Powell,           "3          " 

Margaret  Jones,    " 

3 

James  Price,            "2          " 

Edward  Moore,     " 

4 

John  Vaikaw,          "    i 

Thomas  Powell,    " 

i%       " 

IvymleyWilliaras    "    i 

Thomas  Grifith,    " 

2          '• 

Ann  Lewis,              "    i           '' 

Rees  Rees,              " 

aV^     " 

Thomas  Watts,       "    [ 

Edward  Nicholas  ' ' 

4 

Walter  Ingram,       "    i           " 

Winnif red  Oliver  " 

5 

Benjamin  Davis,    "2 

Evan  Powell,         ' ' 

5 

During  the  voyage  John  Powell,  one  of  the  pa.ssengers, 
died,  leaving  a  non  cupative  will,  made  at  sea.  Thomas 
Potts,  also  a  passenger,  was  a  witnesses  and  made  his  mark. 
The  will  is  recorded  in  the  Register's  Office  at  Philadel- 
phia. The  appraisers  of  Powell's  efTedts  were  Thomas  Potts, 
(Miller),  and  William  James.      [See  page  204,  ante]. 

Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  while  .still  in  his  minority,  mar- 
ried Martha  Keurlis,  daughter    of    Peter  %    and    Elizabeth 

*  Note.  The  full  text  of  these  article.s  of  agreement  is  printed  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Magazine  of  Histovy  and  Biography,  Volume  I,  pages  330-2. 

t  NoTK.  Thomas  Jarmau  settled  in  Tredyff  rin  Township,  Chester  County,  and 
has  been  spoken  of  as  "  a  Quaker  preacher'and  thrifty  miller."  He  died  in  1740, 
and  in  his  will  made  a  bequest  to  "  my  old  man  John  Potts." 

I  NoTF,.  Peter  Keurlis  was  the  head  of  one  of  the  thirteen  families  who  con.sti 
tuted  the  fir.st  ,settlement  of  Germantown.  The  name  seems  to  have  become  cor- 
-upted  into  Kerlin,  Conrlin,  and  Corliss. 


2T,6  Thk  Potts  Fami/.v  in  Amer/ca, 

Keurlis,  according  to  the  usage  pradliced  among  Friends. 
Tlie  records  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  contains  the  fol- 
iMitry  relating  thereto. 

At  a  monthly  meeting,  held  the  2.>th  of  8th  mo.,  1699,  whereas 
Thomas  Potts  and  Martha  Courlin,  having  declared  their  intentions  of 
marriage  with  each  other  before  two  monthly  meetings,  inquiry  being 
made  by  perpon.s  apjwinted  and  found  clear  fn)m  all  others  on  account 
of  marriage,  did  acc':)mplish  their  marriage  in  the  unity  of  Friends,  as 
is  signified  by  their  marriage  certificate. 

Yomig  Thomas  Pott.s,  at  once,  entered  actively  into  pub- 
lic affairs  and  business  tran.sa(5lions.  Soon  after  attaining 
liis  majority,  in  1702-3,  he  filled  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Ger- 
mantown.  He  made  many  ptirchases  and  sales  of  real  es- 
tate, and  as  an  authentic  means  of  showing  his  place  of 
residence  and  occupation,  brief  abstra(5ls  of  some  of  his  ear- 
lier deeds  are  given  below.  These  abstra<5ls  are  all  from 
I  lie  Recorder's  Office  at  Philadelphia. 

Ivxemplification  Records,   Vol.  7,  page  4S1.     Feb.  28,  |^ 

Tracft  of  land  in  Philadelphia  County,  adjoining  the  lands  of  Joshua 
Cart,  Silas  Crispin,  late  Philip  Thelmaine,  and  John  Sibley,  contain- 
335  acres.  Being  part  of  land  late  in  tenure  of  Philip  Thelmaine, 
.siezed  in  execution  of  debt,  etc.,  in  a  suit  to  recover,  by  Joseph 
Knight  vs.  Philip  Thelmaine,  in  the  Court  at  Philadelphia,  Septem- 
ber 7,  16^7.  Now  in  pursuance  of  a  writ,  etc.,  to  the  Sheriff.  John 
Claypole.  Deed  of  SheriflF  dated  September  7,  1699.  Title  was  vested 
in  Joseph  Knight,  who  sold  Imt  did  not  convey  said  land  to  Thomas 
Maddox,  and  he  in  turn  sold  to  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  the  same 
County.     Now  these  transfer  title  to  said  Thomas  Potts,  Junior. 

I'^xemplification  Records,  Vol.  7,  page  483.     March  7,  |^ 

Thomas  Potts,  Jun"".,  of  the  Countj-  of  Philadelphia,  yeoman,  con- 
veys 235  acres,  (part  of  the  aforementioned  land),  to  John  Roberts,  of 
Haverford,  blacksmith,  for  ,,{,"37.  jj^j.  „iark 

[Signed.]  Thom.\s  'i  Potts,  Jun  . 

He  removed  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  .sometime  prior 
to  1707,  where  he  engaged  in  the  business  of  a  butcher  or 
victualler.     His  next  deed  was  one  of  confirmation. 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colkbrookdale).       237 

Deed-Book  K  3,  Volume  6,  page  loi.     2  mo.  14,  1707. 

Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  late  of  Germantown,  (now  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, Province  of  Pennsylvania) ,  yeoman,  being  under  the  age  of 
one  and  twenty  years,  at  the  granting  of  title  on  January  6,  1700,  this 
<leed  is  to  confirm  his  former  deed.  Land  first  sold  to  Francis  San- 
som,  and  now  confirmed  to  John  Garrett,  to  whom  Sansom  had  sold. 

Deed-Book  E  7,  Volume  9,  page  214.     March  20,  1713-14. 

Evan  Morgan  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  convey  252  acres  of  land  in 
Philadelphia  County,  upon  the  head  of  Neshaminy  Creek,  to  Thomas 
Potts,  butcher,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

D;ed-Book  E  7,  Volume  10,  page  64.     July  23,  1715. 

Richard  Lewis  and  wife,  to  Thomas  Potts.  Be  it  remembered  that 
the  twenty  sixth  day  of  Jul}',  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1715,  George 
■f  *  ^-  *  Q^Q  Qf  ti^a  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  City  and  County  of 
Philadelphia,  Certifieth  and  recordeth  here,  that  the  22d  of  the  same 
month  and  .vear,  before  him  the  said  Justice  at  Philadelphia,  afore- 
said, came  Richard  Lewis  and  Hester  his  wife,  in  their  proper  persons, 
and  brought  before  the  said  Justice  (Charles  Brockden,  Recorder  of 
Deeds  for  said  City  and  County  being  present, )  the  writing  or  con- 
veyance herein  next  after  entered  of  record,  which  they  acknowledged 
to  be  their  deed,  and  desired  that  the  same  may  Inrolled  and  recorded 
as  their  Deed,  according  to  an  Adl  of  Assembly  of  the  Province,  late- 
ly made  and  provided,  and  the  said  Hester,  being  of  full  age,  and 
secretly  and  apart  examined,  and  the  contents  of  the  said  writing  dis- 
tindlly  read  unto  her,  willingly  consented.  Whereupon  the  said  Jus- 
tice, having  certified  the  said  acknowledgement  made  the  day  and 
year  in  manner  and  form  aforesaid,  under  his  hand  and  seal,  as  the 
said  Adl  dire<5ls,  did  deliver  the  said  writing  to  me  to  be  entered  of 
record  and  the  same  is  entered  in  these  words. 

This  Indenture  made  the  23*  day  of  July  in  the  first  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George,  King  of  Great  Britain,  &c.,  and 
in  the  year  of  oiur  Lord,  1715,  between  Richard  Lewis  of  in  the 

County  of  Philadelphia  in  the  Province  of  Pensilvania,  yeoman,  and 
Hester  his  wife,  of  the  one  part,  and  Tliomas  Potts,  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia  in  the  said  Province,  Victualler,  of  the  other  part. 

Whereas  William  Penn,  Proprietary  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  the 
said  Province,  in  and  by  a  certain  Patent  or  Instrument  under  the 
the  hands  of  Richard  Hill,  Isaac  Morris,  and  James  Logan,  his  pres- 
ent Commissioners  of  Property  and  the  Great  Seal  of  of  the  said  Prov- 
ince, for  the  consideration  therein  mentioned,  did  grant,  lease  and 
confirm  unto  the  said  Richard  Lewis,  a  certain  traA  or  parcel  of  land 


2;^B  Thk  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 

(part  of  the  Manor  of  Gilherl)  in  the  County  of  I'liiladelphia,  Begin- 
ning at  a  post  by  the  river  Skuxlkill  at  the  corner  of  Jonas  Potts'  land, 
thence  northeast  by  the  .same  six  hundred  and  forty  perches  to  a  post, 
thence  southeast  by  a  line  of  njarkt  trees  eighty  four  perclies,  thence 
by  Joseph  Richardson's  land  southwe-.t  fiii  y  frc  ix-rchis  to  the  river 
SkuilkilT,  thence  by  the  same,  etc. 

Martha,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  is  supposed  to  have 
died  abotit  1716,  and  Thotnas  married  as  a  second  wife, 
Magdalen  Robeson  ;*  but  neither  the  date  of  the  death  of 
Martha,  nor  the  time  of  the  second  marriage  seems  to  be 
known.  About  the  same  time,  Thomas  again  took  up  his 
residence  in  Germantown. 

Deed-Book  F,  Volume  lo,  page  12S.     August  25,  1721. 

Thomas  Jones  and  Katharine  his  wife,  of  Abington;  Robert  Thom- 
as and  Margaret  his  wife,  of  Chestnut  Hill;  and  John  Streipers  and 
Elizabeth  his  wife,  to  Thomas  Potts,  of  Germantown,  butcher,  for 
;^I50,  two  tradls  of  land  in  Germantown,  containing  aoV  and  2gj:^ 
acres,  respecflively. 

Deed-Book  I,  Volume  12,  page  199.     August  26,  1721. 

Thomas  Potts,  butcher,  and  Magdalen  his  wife,  of  Gennantown. 
conveyed  to  Robert  Thomas,  of  Olithgo,  Philadelphia  County,  300 
acres  of  land  in  Gilbert's  Manor,  adjoining  land  of  Jonas  Potts,  etc., 
W'hich  the  said  Thomas  Potts  had  formerly  purchased  of  Richard  and 
Hester  Lewis.     Consideration,  ^300. 

Deed-Book  H,   Volume  6,    page  27.     September  14,  1723. 

Thomas  Potts,  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  vidlualler,  for  the 
consideration  of  ;^40,  purchased  48  acres  in  Bristol  Township,  from 
John  Richardson,  of  .said  County,  yeoman,  second  son  of  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  Richardson. 

Deed-Book  G,  Volume  8,  page  120.     August  20,  1726. 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Germantown,  butcher,  and  Magdalen  his  wife, 
sold  to  John  Axstone,  of  the  same  place,  rope-maker,  the  two  tra<5ls  of 
land  in  Germantown,  formerly  purchased  from  Thomas  Jones,  et  al. 

Deed-Book  F,  Volume  10,  page  131.     September  6,  1726. 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Germantown,  vi<Slualler,  and  Magdalen  his  wife, 
a  deed  to  Derrick  Jansen,  confirming  a  former  Indenture  of  Lease  and 


*  See  Memorial  of  Thomas  Potts.  Junior,  pages  78  and  235. 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (CoLEBROOKDAtE).       239 

Release,  dated  August  25  and  26,    1721,  for  2934^  acres  of  land  in  Ger- 
•mantown,  from  Thomas  Jones,  et  al. 

There  is  a  remarkable  uniformit}-  in  the  signatures  of 
Thomas  Potts,  that  have  come  to  notice.  In  the  Memorial 
•of  Tho7nas  Potts,  Junior,  etc..  By  Mrs.  Thomas  Potts  James, 
r8j4.,  are  shown  copies  of  two  of  his  signatures.  [See  one 
on  page  76,  and  another  facing  page  92] .  While  a  resident 
of  Philadelphia,  he  was  a  witness  to  the  will  of  John  Mif- 
flin, of  the  Northern  I,iberties,  dated  September  10,  1713. 
Here  is  a  fair  copy  of  his  signature. 


After  returning  to  Germantow'n,  he  was,  on  2  mo.  29,  1722, 
a  witness  to  the  non-cupative  will  of  John  Samuel  Pastori- 
us,  of  Germantown,  weaver.  Below  is  a  good  copy  of  his 
signature  as  it  appears  in  this  instance. 

About  the  year  1726,  Thomas  Potts  seems  to  have  re- 
moved to  the  region  of  Gilbert's  Manor,  as  he  was  one  of 
the  petitioners  for  the  ere<ftion  of  Providence  Township, 
which  was  organized  in  1727.  It  included  what  are  now 
Upper  and  Lrower  Providence,  in  Montgomery  County. 

About  the  year  17 16,  Thomas  Rutter,  a  smith  w^ho  lived 
near  Germantown,  removed  to  the  region  of  Manatawney 
Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Schuylkill  River,  and  ere(5led  the 
first  Pool  Forge,  a  few  miles  above  the  prevSent  town  of 
Pottstown,  where  he  began  the  manufacture  of  iron,  the  first 
in  Pennsylvania.  Some  others  became  associated  with  Rut- 
ter in  this  enterprise,  which  required  both  skill  and  capital. 
Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  became  interested  in  the  iron  busi- 
ness, and  by  his  previous  application  to  business  had  prob- 
ably accumulated  considerable  means.     Mrs.  Thomas  Potts 


240  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

James,  in  the  Potts  Memorial,  says  that,  while  she  has  been 
unable  to  find  the  evidence,  she  is  convinced  that  Thomas. 
Potts  removed  to  the  Manatawney  region  previous  to  1720. 
Morton  L.  Montgomery,  in  Volume  VIII,  of  the  Pejinsylva- 
nia  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  says  it  is  supposed 
that  the  Colebrookdale  Furnace  *  was  erecfled  in  tlie  year 
1720  or  a  year  or  two  earlier,  by  Thomas  Rutter,  Anthony 
Morris,  James  Lewis  and  Thomas  Potts.  This  furnace  was 
located  on  Ironstone  Creek,  a  branch  of  the  Manatawney, 
and  within  a  mile  south  of  the  present  Boyertown. 

While  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  may  have  been  a  member 
of  this  iirm  of  iron  masters  in  1720  or  earlier,  he  certainly 
did  not  remove  to  that  region  before  1726,  because  the 
deeds,  heretofore  quoted,  clearly  show  that  he  was  a  resident 
of  Germantown  up  to  that  year.  He  did  eventually  settle 
at  Colebrookdale,  and  was  actively  associated  with  the  Rut- 
ters  and  others  in  the  developement  of  the  iron  interests  of 
that  secflion,  and  so  continued  to  the  close  of  his  life. 

Thomas  Rutter,  Sr.,  died  about  the  year  1730,  and  Thom- 
as Potts,  Junior,  purchased  one  half  of  the  Colebrookdale 
tradt,  embracing  two  hundred  and  fift\^  acres,  and  in- 
cluding the  maitsion  house,  called  "  Popodickon."  Within 
a  few  years,  both  sons  of  Thomas  Rutter  died,  and  the 
three  sons  of  Thomas  Potts  intermarrying  with  three  grand- 
daughters of  Rutter,  a  considerable  part  of  the  Rutter  estate 
became  vested  in  the  Potts  family.  An  abstradt  of  a  sin- 
gle deed  will  be  sufficient  to  establish  the  identity  of  Thom- 
as Potts,  Junior. 

Deed-Book  H,  Volume  4,  page  435.     June  i,  1741. 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Colebrookdale,  Philadelphia  County,  Iron-Master, 
and  Magdalen  his  wife,  a  deed  to  Thomas  Wilson,  of  the  same  place, 
yeoman,  for  192  acres  of  land  in  Colebrookdale.     Consideration,  ^"150. 

*  NOTK.  The  furnace  was  named  after  one  of  the  same  name  in  Shropshire,  in 
England.  The  surro\inding  territory  naturally  took  the  same  name  ;  and,  subse- 
quently, in  1736,  upon  its  erecflion  into  a  township,  it  was  called  "Colebrookdale." 
— Morton  L.  Montoomkrv. 


MOMESXEAU     01--      1:SAAC     FOTTS. 
PAGE  34G. 


NOTE. — This  house  was  occupied  by  General  Washiiiiitoii  as  his  headquarters 
during  the  memorable  encampment  at  Valley  Forge  in  the  winter  of  1777-S. 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale).       241 

Thomas  Potts  had  purchased  this  land  from  Gerhart  Henkel,  by  deed 
dated  May  23,  1736.     [See  Deed-Book  E,   Volume  9,  page  281]. 

Thomas  Potts  died  at  Colebrookdale  about  January  1752. 
He  was  possessed  of  a  large  landed  estate,  including  mines, 
furnaces  and  forges.  In  his  will  he  mentions  his  wife  Mag- 
dalen, his  children  and  grandchildren.  Many  of  the  de- 
scendants of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  down  to  the  present 
time,  have  been  extensively  engaged  in  iron  manufacfture. 
During  the  Revolutionary  war,  many  heavy  cannon  and 
other  war  supplies  were  manufadlured  at  the  iron  works  op- 
erated by  the  Potts' .  Members  of  the  family  filled  honor- 
able positions,  both  in  the  civil  and  military  departments  of 
the  government.  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts  was  a  surgeon  in  the 
army,  and  in  1777,  he  was  appointed  by  Congress  to  be  Di- 
re(?tor  General  of  the  Hospitals  of  the  Middle  Department. 
It  was  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Potts,  another  member  of  this 
family,  that  Gen.  Washington  had  his  head-quarters,  during 
the  memorable  encampment  at  Valley  Forge,  in  the  winter 
of  1777-8. 

This  family  attained  high  social  position,  great  wealth  and 
wide  influence.  Several  genealogies  of  the  descendants  of 
this  family  have  been  compiled.  The  first  was  by  the  late 
William  Baird  Potts,  of  Pottsville  ;  the  second  was  by  the 
late  James  H.  Carr,  of  Philadelphia.  Both  these  compila- 
tions are  in  manuscript.  In  1874,  the  late  Mrs.  Thomas 
Potts  James,  of  Cambridge,  Massachussetts,  published  a 
historic-genealogy  of  this  branch  of  the  family,  entitled  a 
Memorial  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jimior,  etc.  This  is  a  handsome 
quarto  volume  of  over  400  pages,  and  contains  records  of 
more  than  twelve  hundred  of  his  descendants,  as  well  as 
much  valuable  historical  matter. 

In  view  of  these  former  compilations,  it  is  not  intended 
to  reprint,  in  this  work,  what  has  already  been  published,  be- 
yond a  brief  account  of  those  of  the  second  generation,  and 
some  pedigree  diagrams.       The  record  of  the  children  of 
31 


s 


242  The  Potts  Faimily  in  America. 

Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  printed  below,  as  well  as  the  data 
for  the  annexed  tabulated  pedigrees,  has  been  mainly  drawn 
from  the  Memorial  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior ,  etc.,  by  Mrs. 
Thomas  Potts  James. 

CH11.DREN  OF  Thomas,  Junior,  and  Martha  (Keurlis)  Potts. 

2  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  Joseph  Walker,  2  mo.  24,  1721.      Children^ 

10  Lewis,   II  Thomas,   ii>^  Joseph,   12  Anna.* 

3  Mary  Potts,    m.  Derrick  Cleaver,    6  mo.  30,  1725.     Children,   13 
„^'— —   Jonathan,   14  Peter,   15  Isaac,    16  John. 

4  John  Potts,  b.  1710;  d.  1768;  ra.  Ruth  Savage.     (See  infra), 

5  Martha  Potts,  b. ;  d.  6  mo.  18,  1714. 

6  Martha  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  5  mo.  29,  17 15. 

Children  of  Thomas,  Junior,  and  Magdai.en  (Robeson)  Potts. 

7  Martha  Potts,    m.  Thomas  Yorke,  1734.     Children,  30  Stephen, 

31  Edward. 

8  Thomas  Potts,  m.  ist,  Rebecca  Rutter;  m.  2d,  Deborah  Pyewell, 

(See  infra). 

9  David  Potts,  m.  Rebecca  Rutter.     (See  infra). 


4  John  Potts,^  (Thomas,  Junior/),  son  of  Thomas, 
and  Martha  (Keurlis)  Potts,  was  born  about  17 10,  probably 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  He  married  Ruth  Savage, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ann  (Rutter)  Savage,  April  11, 
1734.  The  marriage  was  accomplished  after  the  manner  of 
Friends,  though  not  under  their  care  or  jurisdidlion.  The 
following  extracl:  from  the  marriage  certificate,  shows  the 
quaint  proceedings  incident  to  this  important  event. 

Whereas  John  Pots  of  Coalbrook  Dale  ;  in  the  County  of  Philadel- 
phia ;  and  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  Founder  ;  and  Ruth  Savage  of 
the  Township  of  Coventry,  and  County  of  Chester,  in  the  said  Prov- 
ince ;  having  with  consent  of  Parents  and  Relations  Concerned,  De- 
clared their  Intention  of  taking  Each  other  In  marriage,  by  a  paper 


*  Note.  The  will  of  a  Joseph  Walker,  of  Douglass  Township,  is  recorded  at 
Philadelphia.  It  is  dated  0(5tober  11,  1765.  The  testator  names  liis  wife  Elizabeth, 
and  children  L,ewis,  Martha  Mackey  and  Hannah  Vanderslice. 


«^ 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale).       243 

fixed  on  the  publick  meeting  house  of  Uvvchlan  and  Coalbrook  Dale  : 
where  they  Usually  meat  to  worship  :  Signed  by  Joseph  Brinton,  Esq'' 
one  of  his  Majestys  Justices  of  the  Peace  ;  for  the  County  of  Chester, 
as  the  law  of  this  Province,   In  that  case  Diredls. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  witnesses  who  signed 
the  Marriage  Certificate.  They  are  arranged  as  nearly  as 
possible  in  the  order  in  which  thej'  seem  to  have  been  writ- 
ten upon  the  Certificate.  Aside  from  the  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  most  of  those,  if  not  all,  in  the  second  and  third  col- 
umns were  relatives  of  the  contradting  parties. 


Joseph  Phipps 
Geo  :  Aston 
Robt  Parker 
Jacob  Taylor 
Tho^  Maybury 
James  Dorney 
George  Rogers 
Francis  Edwards 
James  Male 
John  Webb 
Thos  Menson 
Rebecca  Parker 
mary  Brinton 
Eliz  Edwards 
Samuel  Holloway 
Engel  Berfyrrle  (?) 


Elizabeth  Walker 
Mary  Clever 
Martha  Potts 
Thomas  Pots 
David  Pots 
John  Rutter 
Mary  Rutter 
Thomas  Yotswater 
Thomas  Rutter 
Hen  Hockley 
Esther  Hockley 
Rebeckah  Rutter 
Jonathan  Price 
Thomas  Roberts 
Reiner  Tyson 
James  Jefferis 
Elizabeth  Jefferis 
John  Roberts 
John  Tyson 
Edward  Key 
anna  Hockley 
Hanah  Kerlin 
mary  price 


Jos  :  Brinton,  Justice 
Thomas  potts 
Magdelen  Potts 
Sam"  Nutt 
Anna  Nutt 
Rebeckah  Rutter 
Tho^  Savage 
Samuel  Savage 
Joseph  Savage 
Steven  Savage 
Samuel  Nutt,  ]an^ 
Rebecah  Nutt 
Catharine  Savage 


John  Potts,  like  his  father,  was  an  enterprising  business 
man,  and  for  many  years  was  the  largest  and  most  success- 
ful iron-master  in  the  American  Colonies,  operating  mines, 
furnaces  and  forges,  not  only  in  Pennsylvania,  but  also  in 
Virginia.  He  long  filled  the  ofiice  of  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  was  also  a  Judge  of  the  Court  Common  Pleas. 


244  I'lis  Potts  Family  in  America. 

In  1752,  he  purchased  two  tradls  of  land  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  Manatawney  Creek  and  Schuylkill  River,  ag- 
gregating nearly  one  thousand  acres.  Here  he  laid  out  the 
town  originally  called  Pottsgrove.  Subsequently  this  name 
was  applied  to  the  township  occupying  the  northwestern 
division  of  Montgomery  County,  and  the  village  took  the 
name  of  Pottstown.  John  Potts'  descendants  are  very  fre- 
quently spoken  of  as  the  "  Pottstown  Family." 

John  Potts'  land  embraced  nearly  four  thousand  acres, 
with  mines,  furnaces,  forges,  grist  mills,  saw  mills,  farms, 
etc.  He  also  owned  houses,  stores  and  wharves  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia.  He  died  at  Pottsgrove,  June  6,  1768,  and 
his  thirteen  children  followed  his  body  to  the  grave.  Ruth 
his  widow  died  January  7,  1786.  They  lie  buried  in  the 
family  graveyard  at  Pottstown. 

Children  of  John  and  Ruth  (Savage)  Poms. 

17  Thomas  Potts,  b.  1735;  d.  1785;  m.  Anna  Nutt. 

iS  Samuel  Potts,  b.  1736;  d,  1793;  m.  Joannah  Holland. 

.  19  John  Potts,  b.  1738;  d. ;  m.  Margaret  Carmick. 

20  Martha  Potts,  b.  1740;  d.  1S04;  m.  Thomas  Rutter. 

21  David  Potts,  b.  1741;  d.  1798;  m.  Mary  Aris. 

22  Joseph  Potts,  b.  1742;  d.  1804;  m.  ist,  Mary  Morris;  2d,  Sarah 

Powell;  3d,  Ann  Mitchell;  4th,  Mary  Kirkbride. 

23  Dr.  jQnathan  Potts,  b.  1745;  d.  1781;  m.  Grace  Richardson. 

24  Anna  Potts,  b.  1747;  d.  1782;  m.  David  Potts,  (32). 

25  Isaac  Potts,  b.  1750;  d.  1803;  m.  ist,  Martha  Bolton;  2d,  Sarah 

Evans. 

26  James  Potts,  b.  1752;  d.  17SS;  m.  Anna  Stocker. 

27  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  1755;  d.  ;  m.  Dr.  Benjamin  Duffield. 

28  Jesse  Potts,  b.  1757;  d. ;  m.  Sarah  Lewis. 

29  Ruth  Potts,  b.  1759;  d.  181 1 ;  m.  Peter  Lohra. 


8  Thomas  Potts,^  (Thomas,  Junior,^),  son  of  Thom- 
as, Junior,  and  Magdalen  (Robeson)  Potts,  was  probably 
born  at  Germantown.  He  married,  first,  Rebecca  Rutter, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Catharine  Rutter;  and  sec- 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale).       245 

ond,  Deborah  Pyewell,  daughter  of  William  Pj-ewell.  He 
resided  at  Colebrookdale,  and  was  concerned  in  the  mines 
and  furnaces  operated  there.     He  died  in  1762. 

CHir,DREN  OF  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Ru'Tter)  Potts. 

32  David  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1782;  ui.  Anna  Potts,  (24). 

33  Sarah  Potts,   m.  William  Dewees. 

34  Hannah  Potts,   m.  Thomas  Dewees. 

35  Thomas  Potts. 

36  Magdalen  or  Margaret  Potts,  m.  John  Ellis. 

37  Mary  Potts. 

Chii^dren  of  Thomas  and  Deborah  (Pyewei.1.)  Potts. 

38  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  1753;  d.  1S30;  m.  vSamuel  Baird. 

39  William  Potts,    b.  1755;   d.  ;  m.  Mary  Frances  Potts. 


9  David  Potts,2  (Thomas,  Junior,^),  son  of  Thomas, 
Junior,  and  Magdalen  (Robeson)  Potts,  married  Rebecca 
Rutter,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Rutter.  He,  like  his 
father  and  brother,  was  also  engaged  in  the  iron  business, 
but  died  a  young  man  in  1752,  not  long  after  the  decease  of 
his  father.     He  left  no  issue. 


The  Charts.  The  pedigee  charts  which  occupy  the  fol- 
lowing pages  give  a  very  fair  exhibit  of  the  descendants  of 
Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  in  the  male  line. 
For  want  of  space,  female  lines  are  not  carried  forward,  and 
the  surname  Potts  is  omitted  where  the  name  of  wife  or  hus- 
band is  given.  These  Charts  have  been  compiled  from  the 
Potts  Meviorial.  A  few  errors  have  been  correcfted,  but  no 
general  revision  has  been  attempted  ;  so  that,  in  the  main, 
the  correc5lness  of  these  pedigrees  depends  upon  the  accu- 
racy of  that  work.  The  numbers  in  the  last  column  of 
the  first  Chart,  refer  to  corresponding  numbers  in  the  suc- 
ceeding Charts,  where  later  generations  are  carried  forward. 


246 


-Elizabeth  =Joseph 

V/alker 

-Mary—Derrick  Cleaver 

-John=Ruth  Savage 

-Martha  Potts 

-Martha  Potts 


Samuel-^  Joanna  Hollaud- 

Johu=Margaret  Carmac  - 
-Martha- -Thomas  Rutter 

David=Mary  Aris 


Thomas=Anna  Nult 


-Ruth  Potts 

-Rebecca  G.=Robert  May 

-Nutt  Potts 

-Martha-=Thonias  Haskins 
-Elizabeth=Benjatiiin  Jacobs 
-Ruth-. Robert  May 
-Samuel  N.  =  Mary  Welsh — I 
-Juliana  Potts 

-Thonias^Ann  Humphrey — 2 
-Henrietta=Isaac  James 

-David-- Martha  Potts x 


-Joseph=^Mary  Morns— 
=Sarah  Powell- 

=Ann  Mitchell- 


=Mary  Kirkbride- 


-  Jonathan— Grace  Richard- 
[soh— 


-Anna=David  Potts 


■Isaac=Martha  Bolton  ■ 
—Sarah  Evans 


-James-- Anna  Stocker  — 
-Rebecca=Benj.  Dufiield 

-Jesse=Sarah  Lewis 

-Ruth= Peter  l,ohra 


-Martha=Thos.  Yorke 

-Thomas 

=  Rebpcca  Rutter- 


-David=Anna  Potts 

-Sarah     William  Dewees 
-Hannah=Thomas  Dewees 
-Thomas  Potts 
-Magdalen— John  Ellis 
-Marv  Potts 


-Nathan'l--=Reb'ca  Hobart — 4 

-John=Eliza  Ramsay    5 

-Thomas— Abigail  Miles 6 

-Joseph  — Sarah  Potts  7 

-Sarah  M.=Robert  Hobart 

-Mary  A.=Tliomas  Rutter 
-Stephen— Eunice  Dennis  — 8 

-.Samuel= 9 

=  Mary  Hughes 10 

=Anna  Dewees- Potts 

-Ja!nes=A«na  Dewees  11 

-Charles  =  Marg't  Tallman  -12 
-Benezet  -Marg't  Tal!nian-i3 

-Sarah=Joseph  Potts  7 

-Harriet=Reese  Brooke 

-John  Morris  Potts 

-Mary  P.  =  Jonathan  Joues 
-Joseph  Potts 

-Sarah  Potts 
-Joseph  Potts 

-Anna  Potts 
-Phineas  Potts 

-Jos.  K.  =  Sidney  Bonsai 14 

-Frances  Potts 
-Hepsibah  I'otts 
-Mary  Potts 

-Mary  F.= William  Potts 
-Benjamin  Rush  Potts 
-Clement  Potts 
-Grace  Potts 

-Deborah— Thomas  Shalcross 
-Francis=I,vdia  Maybury— 15 
-Horatio  F.  Potts 
-Edward  Potts 

-Marj'=John  Paul 
-Rebecca  Potts 
-Joseph  P.  Potts 
-Anna  Potts 

-Edward=Sarah  Williams— 16 
-Sanuiel--Sarah  Fletcher  — 17 
-Joanna-=  Daniel  Fletcher 
-Martha^ Rowland  Jones 
-Ruth  A. --=  Joseph  M.  Paul 
-Rebecca = William  Wayne 
-Anthony  B.  Potts 
-Deborah=Isaac  Williams 

-Anthony  Stocker  Potts 
-Maria=George  Poe,  Jr. 
-Clement  Stocker  I'otts 
-Andrew  Potts 

-Martha  Potts 
-Sarah  Potts 

-Martha=David  Potts 3 

-Ruth  A.=Edmund  Key 


i^ 


=  Deborah  Pyewell-l-Rebecca^Samuel  Baird 
|-William=Mary  F.  Potts- 
-David^Rebecca  Rutter 


-Thomas  Potts 

-Wm.  B.  -Jane  Downing  — 18 

-Deborah  Potts 


-John  G.--^ Mary  Kennedy — 

=Eliz'h  G.  Hunt — 

-Thomas  W.=Hannah  Rit- 
[tenhouse 

-Anna  Grace  Potts 


-Samuel  J. =Eliz'h  Hulme- 


-Sarah  H.=Jas.  R.  Johnson 

-Chas.  F.=Roxanna  Burnet- 
=Eliz.  Shumway 

-Mary  Ann^Peter  Crans 
-George  W.  Potts 
-Eliza  Stevens  Potts 

-Julian  H.=Robert  H.  Potts 
-Thomas  A.=Marj'  Haines — 
-Frances  Potts 


-Samuel  K.  Potts 

-Joseph  H.  =  Marv  F,  Webber 
-Elizabeth  G.  Potts 
-Creswell  H.  =  Marv  C.  Marble 
-John  H.   Potts 
-Francis  H.  Potts 
-ThOTnas  W.  Potts 
-Marv  E.  H.  Potts 
-Sarah  S.  Potts 

-Ellen  M.=ClifFord  Pomeroy  1- 

-Caroline  Potts 

-Alfred  Preston  Potts  i- 


247 


-Howard^Amanda  Wagner — |- 

-Anna  May  Potts 

-Jos.  H.=Kate  Shanaman 

-William  K.  Potts 
-Catharine  A.  Potts 
-Mar^  E.  =  Richard  Bostwick 
-James  F.  Potts 
-Jane  Frances  Potts 

-William  M,=Mary  French- — Frank  Assheton  Potts 


Anna  Grace  Potts 
Florence  Potts 
Samuel  J.  Potts 
Eleanor  Potts 

-Laura  Potts 
-Clifford  Potts 
-Bessie  Potts 
-Walter  Potts 


-Joanna  H.  Potts 

-Uavid=Anna  N.  Maj' 

-Edward  K.  Potts 

-Thos.  M.=Hanna  Templin- 

-Nathauiel  Potts 

-Rebecca  S.  Potts 

-Francis=Anua  M.  Church — 

-Sarah  M.=Nathan  Stem 

-Robert  H.=Juliau  H.  Potts- 
-Rebecca  Potts 
-Mary  Ellen  Potts 


4-|-Emily  Potts 
-Nathaniel  Potts 


-Wilhemina=Wm.  Hawley 
-Samuel  J.  =:Mary  A.  Ross— 
-Sophia=Thomas  Semuies 


-Ramsay -=I,ucretia  Purchase 

=Man,'  Pickett 

-Joauna=Nathauiel  Hobart 


-Nathan  H.=Anna  Gifford — I 
-Juliana  Potts  |- 

-Thomas  L.  Potts 
-Marion— Jonathan  I,ummis 
-Mary  Ann  Potts 
-Isabella  Haines  Potts 
-Anna  M.=  Alfred  Lavvson 
-Thomas  Hnmphrej-  Potts 
-David  Gardiner  Potts 
-Sarah  Jane  Potts 
-Juliana  Potts 
-Rebecca  Smith  Potts  I- 

-Ann  T.=Wm.  I,.  Whitney 

-David  =  Kate  Lewis 

-Rebecca  M.  Potts  !■ 

-Emma  G.  Potts  |' 

-John  T.  Potts 
-Holman  Potts 
-Nathaniel  Potts 
-Thomas  M.  Potts 
-Martha=Francis  M.  Nichols 
-Mary  R,  Potts 

-Maria  T.=James  S.  Ewing 
-Rebecca  Potts 
-David=Kate  Liggett 
-Francis  Thomas  Potts 
-Marv  Potts 
-Sara"h  Potts 

-Nathaniel=Susan  Smith - 
-Francis  Thomas  Potts 
-Anna  May  Potts 


■Charles  E.  Potts 
-Orville  A.  Potts 


■Oscar  Potts 
-Emma  Potts 
■Elhvood  Potts 
■Elizabeth  Potts 
-Nathaniel  Potts 
■Thomas  Potts 


-John=Louisa  Rose 

-Mary=T.  S.  Fillebrown 
-Samuel  Potts 
-Caroline  Potts 
-Roberta  Potts 
-Richard  C.^  Rebecca  Kim- 
-Kane  Potts  [berly— 

-Alice  Potts 
-Andrew=Boydanna  Gilbert- 

-Ramsay  Douglass  Potts 
-John  Willis  Potts 
-Thomas  Semmes  Potts 


-MsLiy  Frances  Potts 
-Emma  Virginia  Potts 
-Debbie  Smith  Potts 

-Rose=M.  V.  Messing 
-John  Potts 
-Louisa  Potts 
-Ramsav  D.  =:Mary 
-vSarauel  Potts     [Besta 
-Templin  M.=Anna 
-Mary  Potts  [Cash 

-Elizabeth  H.  Potts 

-Richard  Cooper  Potts 
-Cornelia  Ross  Potts 

-Harriet  R.  Potts 
-Marv  Ross  Potts 
-Rebecca  C.  Potts 


248 


The  Potts  Family  in  America, 


6- 


7- 


-Joanna  Potts 

-Rebecca  Potts 

-Catharine  M.^  Sam'l  Gartley 

-Samuel  Miles  Potts 

-Thoinas^=Harnet  Brooke 

-Juliana  Potts 

-Jos.  McK.=Rebecca  Brooke — 
-Sarah  M. --Samuel  Gartley 


-Francis  R.=Mary  Mobre 
=  Mary  Miles  — 


Mary=Robert  H.  Smith 
Saniuel  =  Ruth  A.  Rutter- 
Heury  Potts 


Heury=Isabella  Hitner 


-Eliz'h  B.=JaniesH.  Carr 
-Anna  May= Abner  Evans 
-Juliana^T.  M.  Castlebury 
-Sam'l  M  =Anielia  Welsham 
-Thomas— Mary  F.  Nj'C 


-Harriet  B.  Potts 
-Catharine  G.  Potts 
-]imily  Rutter  Potts 
-Mary  Pax  son  Potts 
-Joseph  McK.— Mary  Little 

-Joanna  Potts 
-James  Linnard  Potts 
-George  Engles  Potts 
-David  Potts 

i-Marj'  Ann  Potts 

j-Samuel  Potts 

[-Mary  A. = James  M.  Egleton 

-Sarah  Potts  | 

-Joseph=Anuie  Clay 1 

-JTarv  S.  =  Edward  S.  Davies 
-Elizabeth  W.  Potts 

-Henry=Rosa  V.  Moore 

-Isabella  H.=George  Rice 


-Ida  Nye  Potts 
-Arthur  Potts 


-George  H.=Rose  Leaf 


-David=^Rebecca  Speakman- 
=Sarah  Potts-Stem 

-Joseph=Mary  K.  Rutter 

=Elizabeth  Mitchell 

-Emily=John  Potts  Rutter 
-Edward=Sarah  Bechtel 


-John=Mary  Jamison- 
-Sarah  Potts 


-Robert  S.=  Anna  H.  Bull — 

=Lydia  Baldwin  • 
-Sarah  Potts 


-Martha— Joseph  E.  Sorber 

-Margaret  Potts 

-Sarah  Potts 

-Mary  Ann  Potts 

-Jolui  Potts 

-Rebecca— Augustus  Kline 


9-— Lewis  Reese -=  Eliz'h  Cass 


-Joseph  D.=Mary  McCleary— 
-William  Speakman  Potts 

-John  R.  Potts 
-Mary  Ann  Potts 
-Clement=Emma  Broderick 

-Sarah  Potts 
-Emma  Potts 
-Eliza  R.  Potts 
-Edward  Potts 

-Samuel  J.=Mary  J.  Evans 

-Helen  Potts 

-Marj'  G.=Tlieodore  Jacobs 

-John  Potts 

-William  J.  Potts 

-Howard  Potts 

-Maria  Potts 
-Charles  S.  Potts 


-Ithaner  J.=Mary  J.  Bryson— 
-Jerome  B.= 


l-Henry  W.  Potts 
-Emily  F.  Potts 
l-William  S.  Potts 

—Rosa  C.  Potts 

I -George  Potts 
■  -Henry  Potts 
-Leonard  Potts 
1-Charles  R.  Potts 

-Arthur  Potts 
-William  M.  Potts 
-Josirph  Lanier  Potts 


-George  W.  Potts 
-Margaret  Potts 
-Mary  Potts 


-Edwin  B.  Potts 
-Eugene  R.  Potts 
-Lewis  B.  Potts 
-Mary  B.  Potts 

Alice  Maude  Potts 
-Charles  Potts 

Frank  Potts 
-Leroy  Potts 

Marj'  Potts 


Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),       249 


Edward  Garrigues=Abigail 
[Newport 


-Alfred= Tilgleman 

=Mar}  A   Pope  — 


-Dr.  Oliver  G.=Lizzie  Oli- 

(phant  ■ 

-Mary=George  Bedford 


-Dr.  Franklin=Sarah  J. 

[Rench 

-Lindley  Potts 

-I,indley  A.  =  Loui.se  Fuller — 

-Edith=Isaac  Butterworth 

-Jesse  Newport=Alice  Cow- 
[man — 

-Sabina  M.=ArDert  Hutton 

-Charles  E.=  Jennie 


-Johu=Mar3-  Ann  Newport- 


-Lindlev= : 

-Ruth  A.=Aquila  Whitaker 
-Rebecca=Je.sse  Woods 
-Deborah  Potts 


-David  Potts 
-Sarah= 


Cole 


12 — J.  Hartley=Sarah  Jackson 


-Aris  Potts 

-Louisa  M.=Liudley  Rutter 

-Marv  Potts 

-Chafles=Anna  McCoUin  — 
-Anna  Potts 
-Ed\vard=-'Julia  Paxson 


■Frances='\Valdron  Cherry 
j-Joseph=Regina  S.  Kiniber  — 
-Wilham=I,ucretia  Anthony 
l-Elizabeth  Potts 

15 — Grace  Potts 

16 — Isaac  W.=Hannah  Newlin— 

17-l-Samuel  Potts 
-Martha  Potts 


■Marj'  F.=Martin  Edmonds 
-William  Ram.sav  Potts 
-Edward  Hobart' Potts 
-Howard  Downing  Potts 
-Clement  Downing  Potts 
-Helen  Jane  Potts 


[-Caroline  E.=Ira  Thomas 
-l-JosephH.  Potts 
|-Mary  Ellen  Potts 

-  I-Samuel  Potts 
-Ruthauna  Potts 
l-Rebecca  Potts 

-Maria  Potts 

-Margaret=Edwin  Morris 
-Lydia  J.  =  Joseph  Pierce 
-Louisa  Com  Potts 
-Lewis  J.=Pattie  Tolbert 

2=Emilie  Locher  — 

-Elizabeth=Samuel  M.  Rea 


-Franklin  M.  Potts 
-Lucy  Potts 


-Alfred  F.  Potts 
-William  Potts 


-Eva=FraukCorapton 
-Edward  G.  Potts 
-Carrie=Jos.  L.  Hall 

-Wilbur  H.=Lil.  He.ss 
-Charles  S.  Potts  [lips 
-EdwardF.=EttaPhil- 
-Noble  F.N.=Cornelia 
[Ross  Potts 
-Mamie  Potts 

-Minnie  Potts 
-Edward  Potts 
-Harry  Potts 

-MarvC.  Potts 
-Martha  A.  Potts 
-Norman  N.  Potts 
-Emily  Ruth  Potts 

-Abbie  Potts 
-Emma  Potts 
-Emma  Potts 
-Howard  Potts 


-Charles  H.  Potts 
--Margaret  K.  Potts 


-Frances  Shober  Potts 
-Reginald  G.  Potts 


-Augusta  Potts 
-William  Newlin  Potts 
-Austin  Potts 
-Virginia  Potts 


Note.    After  some  of  the  foregoing  Charts  had  been  printed,  some  additional 
records  came  to  hand,  but  were  received  too  late  to  be  inserted  in  their  places. 


32 


250  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


The  Orphan  Children  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales, 


In  the  year  1698,  several  orphans,  children  of  John  Potts, 
deceased,  and  late  of  Wales,  were  sent  over  to  the  care  of 
Friends  in  Pennsylvania.  It  seems  very  probable  that  they 
were  passengers  in  the  good  ship  "  William  Galley,"  * 
which  brought  so  many  Friends  from  the  Welsh  Counties 
of  Radnor  and  Montgomery,  and  in  which  Thomas  Potts, 
Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  came  a  passenger  to  Pennsylvania. 
This  John  Potts,  is  believed  to  be  identical  with  John  Potts, 
the  persecuted  Quaker  of  I,langirrig,  Montgomeryshire,  in 
Wales,  of  whom  some  account  is  given  on  pages  67  and  68, 
in  this  work.  He  was  a  brother  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Mil- 
ler), of  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  County. 

Neither  the  names  nor  the  number  of  all  these  children 
are  given  in  any  record  so  far  discovered.  It  is,  however, 
quite  certain  that  John  Potts  and  Mary  Potts  were  two  of 
these  orphan  children.  The  Friends  of  Philadelphia  Month- 
ly Meeting  had  the  care  of  these  children,  and  the  Meeting 
minutes  contain  several  references  to  them,  of  which  the 
following  are  copies 

5  mo.  26,  1699.  Whereas  John  Austin  proposed  to  this  meeting  that 
several  Orphans,  Children  of  John  Potts  of  Wales,  came  here  last  year, 
their  passage  being  paid,  this  meeting  desires  Edward  Shippen  and 
Anthony  M"orris  to  Speak  with  the  persons  concerned,  and  see  for  con- 
venient places  in  order  that  the  Children  be  bound  out  apprentices  by 
the  next  Orphans  Court. 

I  mo.  29,  1700.  John  Kinsey  reports  that  there  are  two  Orphans, 
Children  of  One  Potts  to  be  put  out,  Thomas  Potts  also  desiring  (be- 


See  page  234,  ante. 


Orphan  Children  of  John  Potts.  251 

itig  their  uncle)  that  this  meeting  would  appoint  some  friends,  to  put 
them  out  to  friends.  John  Kinsey  &  Anthony  Morris  are  desired  to 
see  it  done. 

2  mo.  26,  1700.  John  Kinse}'  &  Anthony  Morris  are  desired  to  con- 
tinue their  care  in  putting  out  Jn°  Potts's  Children. 

11  mo.  30,  1701.  Isaac  Shoemaker  laying  before  this  meeting,  That 
a  friend's  Child  named  Mary  Potts  having  been  with  him  more  than 
two  years,  the  time  agreed  is  near  out,  and  she  wants  learning.  In 
order  therefore  that  she  may  have  what  learning  is  suitable,  he  desires 
to  have  her  bound  with  him  for  some  longer  time.  Whereupon  Sam- 
uel Carpenter  &  John  Kinsey  are  desired  to  take  care  therein,  making 
report  thereof  to  the  next  monthly  meeting. 

12  mo.  27,  1701.  John  Kinsey  &  John  Parsons  are  desired  to  use 
their  endeavour  to  get  Thomas  [John]  Potts's*  Child  from  the  place 
where  it  is,  upon  as  easy  Terms  as  they  can,  in  order  to  have  it  placed 
with  a  friend. 

1  mo.  27,  1702.  John  Kinse)-  &  John  Parsons  are  continued  to  take 
care  concerning  the  Child  of  Thomas  [John]  Potts,*  deceased,  to  place 
it  out  with  some  honest  friend.  It  being  thought  that  William  Rut- 
ledge's  may  be  a  fit  place  for  her. 

2  mo.  24,  1702.  John  Parsons  reporting  that  the  persons  with  whom 
the  Child  of  Thomas  [John]  Potts,  deceased,*  is,  are  not  willing  to 
part  with  it.  He  and  John  Kinsey  are  desired  so  try  a  little  further 
what  they  can  do  therein, 

I  mo.  26,  1703.  John  Austin  lays  before  this  meeting  that  John  Potts, 
who  was  bound  apprentice  to  him  to  learn  the  Carpenter's  Trade,  doth 
not  like  it,  but  had  rather  have  some  other  employment.  Therefore 
Anthony  Morris  (who  was  concerned  in  the  binding  of  him)  and  Wil- 
liam Hudson  are  desired  to  do  what  is  needful  in  the  matter,  and  give 
an  account  thereof  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting. 

I  mo.  25,  1708.  John  Potts,  who  was  an  Orphan  bound  apprentice 
to  John  Austin  by  approbation  of  this  Monthly  Meeting,  Complains 
that  he  hath  Served  out  his  apprenticeship,  and  his  mistress  will  not 
discharge  him,  and  desires  assistance.  In  order  thereto  this  meeting 
appoints  Edward  Shippen,  Nathan  Stanbury  &  David  Lloyd  to  en- 
quire into  the  matter  and  if  they  find  he  hath  served  out  his  time, 
that  then  they  Endeavour  to  see  him  discharged,  and  Report  their 
proceedings  to  the  next  Monthly  Meeting. 

*  Note.  Mr.  William  John  Potts  examined  these  records  ver3'  carefully,  and 
was  fully  convinced  that  the  entries  of  the  name  "Thomas"  was  a  clerical  error, 
written  in  mistake  by  the  Clerk  or  transcriber,  instead  of  "John." 


252  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

2  mo.  29,  1708.  Report  they  cannot  understand  that  he  hath  served 
out  his  time,  therefore  could  not  .discharge  him. 

These  records  make  it  quite  certain  that  John  Potts  and 
Mary  Potts  were  two  of  these  orphan  children.  It  is  also 
evident  that  another  orphan  daughter  was  under  the  care  of 
some  family  who  were  not  members  of  the  Friends  meeting 
In  another  Chapter,  entitled  Kinship  of  the  Potts'  of  Penn- 
sylvania, it  will  be  suggested  who  the  other  children  are 
thought  to  be. 


John  Potts,  (Ship-Carpenter),  one  of  the  orphan  chil- 
dren of  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  deceased,  came  to  Pennsylva- 
nia in  1698,  and  was  soon  after  apprenticed  to  John  Austin 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  ship-carpenter.  John  Austin's  wife 
was  Jane  Potts,  and  it  very  likely  that  John  Potts  was  a 
near  relative,  possibl}^  a  nephew.  His  apprenticeship  had 
not  expired  on  2  mo.  29,  1708,  when  Friends  reported  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting.  Perhaps  he  attained  his  majority  soon 
after  the  latter  date. 

The  Pennsylvania  Archives,  Second  Series,  Vol.  XIX,  at 
page  588,  contains  a  record  that,  on  10  mo.  22,  1714,  the 
Commissioners  of  Property  signed  a  Warrant  for  300  acres 
of  land  in  favor  of  Benjamin  Burk  and  John  Potts.  This  is 
supposed  to  have  been  John  Potts,  (Ship-Carpenter),  as  he 
is  the  only  John  Potts  known  to  have  been  then  of  age. 

He  married  Rebecca about  1709  or  17 10.      There 

is  recorded  by  the  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,  the  dates 
of  the  burial  of  four  of  their  children.  It  has  not  been  dis- 
covered whether  there  were  other  children  or  not.  John 
Potts  died  intestate  about  1721,  and  letters  of  administra- 
tion upon  his  estate  were  granted  to  Samuel  Carpenter, 
March  21,  1721.  The  only  original  paper  remaining  on  file 
in  the  Register's  Office  at  Philadelphia,  is  the  administra- 
tor's bond  for  ;^ioo,  with  Caleb  Ransted  and  Thomas  King 
as  sureties.     Rebecca,  the  widow,  seems  to  be  the  same  who 


Orphan  Children  of  John  Potts.  253 

married  William  Darby,  11  mo.  13,  1724.^      The)- are  sup- 
posed to  have  settled  in  New  Jersey. 

Children  of  John  and  Rebecca  ( )  Potts. 

1  Rebecka  Potts,  buried  2  mo.  9,  1710/11, 

2  Rachel  Potts,  buried  4  mo.  14,  I7i2.t 

3  A  son,  buried  11  mo.  25,  1715. 

4  Rebecka  Potts,  buried  i  mo.  26,  1719. 


Mary  Potts,  daughter  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  one  of 
the  orphan  children  sent  over  to  Penns3-lvania,  in  1698,  was 
placed  under  the  care  of  Isaac  Shoemaker,  by  the  Philadel- 
phia Monthly  Meeting.  She  probably  continued  with  the 
Shoemakers,  until  her  marriage  to  Matthias  Tyson,  the  eld- 
est son  of  Reynier  and  Margaret  Tyson,  ^  about  i  mo.  29, 
1 70S.  On  this  date  the  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia  Month- 
!}•  Meeting  contain  this  memoranda, 

Whereas  Matthias  Tyson,  son  of  Ryner  Tj-son,  and  Mary  Potts,  of 
Germantown,  ha\-ing  declared  their  Intentions  af  Marriage  with  each 
other  before  two  Monthh"  Meetings,  Enquiry  being  made  by  persons 
appointed,  &  found  clear  from  all  others  on  y^  account  of  Marriage, 
did  accomplish  their  ilarriage  In  y«  Unity  of  Friends,  as  signified  by 
their  marriasre  Certificate. 


*  See  records  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia. 

T  Note.  The  record,  in  this  instance,  gives  the  parents'  names  as  Thomas  and 
Rebecca,  vrhich  is  clearly  an  error,  as  there  was  at  that  time  no  Thomas  Potts 
with  a  v.ife  Rebecca. 

X  The  Tyson  Family.  Reynier  Tyson  was  one  of  the  original  German  emi- 
grants, who  came  to  Pennsylvania  in  1683,  and  founded  Germantown.  His  wife's 
name  was  Margaret,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  sister  of  Thones  Kunders, 
(another  of  the  German  emigrants),  as  in  the  Striepers  MS.,  Tyson  speaks  of  Kun- 
ders as  "brother."  About  the  year  1S70,  Jesse  Tyson,  of  Baltimore,  then  in  his 
S4th  year,  wrote  of  his  great  grand-father,  "Reyn'ear  Tjson  continued  a  resident 
of  Germantown  until  it  became  thickly  settled,  then  he  sold  his  possessions  there, 
which  had  become  very  valuable,  and  united  with  his  wife's  property  (for  she  had 
some  property  as  well  as  spirit, )  he  was  quite  independent.  He  purchased  a  large 
tratft  in  Abington  Township,  Montgomerj'  County,  Pennsylvania.  Here  by  indus- 
try, prudent  management,  and  judicious  investments'  he  accumulated  much 
wealth,  and  lived  to  a  good  old  age."    He  had  children  as  named  below. 

1  Matthias  Tyson,  b.  6  mo.  3.  16S6;  m.  Mary  Potts. 

2  Isaac  Tyson,  b.  9  mo.  7,  16S8. 

3  Elizabeth  Tyson,  b.  S  rao.  7,  169c;  m.  William  Lukens. 

4  John  Tyson"  b.  10  mo.  9.  1^2. 

5  Abraham  Tyson,  b.  8  mo.  10,  1694. 

6  Derrick  Tyson,  b.  9  mo.  6,  1696:  m.  Ann  Hooton. 

7  Sarah  Tyson,  h.  12  mo.  19,  1698;  m.  John  Kirk. 

8  Peter  Tyson,  b.  3  mo.  6,  1700;  m.  Mary  Roberts. 

9  Henry  "Tyson,  b.  3  mo.  4,  1702;  m.  Ann . 


254  Tnu  Potts  Family  in  America, 

Matthias  Tyson  was  born  6  mo.  3,  i686,  at  Gerniantown. 
He  vSettled  in  Abing^ton  Township,  and  died  there  about 
April  or  May  1727,  in  the  forty-first  year  of  his  age.  His 
will  made  April  8,  and  proven  May  12,  1727,  is  recorded  at 
Philadelphia,  in  Will-Book  E,  at  page  46.  He  names  his 
wife  Mary,  and  his  children  Margaret,  Mary,  Reynear, 
John,  Sarah,  Isaac,  Elizabeth  and  Matthew. 

Children  of  Matthias  and  Marv  (Potts)  Tyson. 

1  Margaret  Tyson,  m.  William  Hallowell.     (See  Infra). 

2  Marj'  Tyson,  m.  Ellis  Lewis,   10  mo.  18,  1729. 

3  Reynier  Tyson,  m.  Grace  Wet cher.     (See  Infra). 

4  John  Tyson. 

5  Sarah  Tyson. 

6  Isaac  Tyson,  m.  E.sther  Shoemaker. 

7  Elizabeth  Tyson. 

8  Matthew  Tyson,  m.  Mary  Fitzwater,  5  mo.  i,  1755. 


I  Margaret  Tyson,'  (Mary,^  John,'),  daughter  of  Mat- 
thias and  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson,  married  William  Hallowell, 
son  of  Thomas  Hallowell,  8  mo.  23,  1729.  The  marriage 
was  accomplished  under  the  care  of  Abington  Monthly  Meet- 
ing. Among  the  witnesses  who  signed  the  marriage  certifi- 
cate were,  Thomas  Potts,  Jone  Potts,  Magdalen  Potts,  Thom- 
as Roberts,  Jr.,  John  Roberts,  Jane  Austin  and  others. 

3  Reynier  Tyson,  (Mary,'  John,'),  son  of  Matthias 
and  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson,  married  Grace  Fletcher,  daughter 
of  Robert  Fletcher,  3  mo.  29,  1739.  Among  the  witnesses 
who  signed  the  marriage  certificate  were,  John  Tyson, 
Thomas  Potts,  Thomas  Roberts,  Jr.,  Mary  Tyson,  David 
Potts,  Thomas  Potts,  Jr. ,  and  others. 


Joan,  or  Jone  Potts,  Widow.  255 


CHAPTER    XII. 


Joan,  or  Jone  Potts,  WMow. 


JOAN,  or  JONE  POTTS,  is  first  noticed  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  the  year  1700,  when  her  name  appears  as  a  witness 
on  the  marriage  certificate  of  Lewis  Lewis,  of  Newtown, 
Chester  County,  bachelor,  and  Mary  Powell,  of  Bristol 
Township,  Philadelphia  County,  spinster,  on  10  month  13, 
1700.*  The  witnesses  in  the  right  hand  column  are  Gwen 
Powell,  Lydia  Harry,  Sarah  Shoemaker,  Joan  Pott,  Catha- 
rine Morris,  Martha  Pott,  and  others.  Thomas  Potts'  name 
appears  among  the  witnesses  signed  in  the  third  column. 

Her  name  is  found  variously  written  as  Joan  Pott,  Joan 
Potts,  and  Jone  Potts.  There  is  a  somewhat  obscure  tradi- 
tion that  "Jone  Potts  with  four  daughters,  from  Wales, 
landed  at  Philadelphia,  and  settled  at  Germantown,  where 
she  supported  her  family  by  her  profession  of  a  female  phy- 
sician, having  brought  her  diploma  with  her.  She  taught 
each  of  her  daughters  her  profession.  Her  husband  sailed 
for  America  (probably  before  her)  in  a  separate  vessel  and 
died  at  sea."  Perhaps  Joan  Potts  came  in  the  ship  "  Wil- 
liam Galley,"   in  1698,  with  the  Powells  and  others. 

John  Roberts,  of  Chester  County,  blacksmith,  made  his 
will  7  mo.  26,  1702.  It  was  proven  January  5,  1702-3,  and 
recorded  in  Will-Book  B,  at  page  251,  at  Philadelphia.  He 
made  bequests  to  his  daughter  Margaret,  wife  of  Thomas 
Kenderdine,  and  her  children  Richard,  Thomas,  Margaret 
and  Mary  ;  to  son  John  and  daughter  Elinor  Jenkins,  living 


*  See  records  of  Abington  Monthly  Meeting. 


256  The  Potts  Family  tn  America. 

in  Wales  ;  to  friend  Joan  Potts,  widow  ;  and  to  friend 
John  Kinse}-.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Thomas  Potts, 
Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  sold  235  acres  of  land  to  this  John 
Roberts,  blacksmith,  by  deed  dated  March  7,  i699-r7oo.* 

The  account  book  of  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius,  of  Ger- 
mantown,  for  1700  to  1719,  contains  the  following  charges 
against  Jone  Potts,  in  the  year  17 12. 

Jan.  Jone  Potts  for  21  yds  Worsted  at  S"^ 

Feby  Jone  Potts,  10  yds  linsey  wolsej-  and  2  yds  Linnen  a  S''     6s 

April  Jone  Potts  12  yds  linnen  and  cotton  at  S"!       -        -        -5s    sd 

Apr.  Jone  Potts     12  yds      ***-..-        6s  lod 

On  4  mo.  24,  1 7 14,  Jone  Potts'  name  is  among  the  sign- 
ers to  a  certificate,  issued  by  Abington  Monthly  Meeting, 
to  Henry  Cunnard  and  wife. 

At  the  marriage  of  Ellis  Lewis,  of  Upper  Dublin,  and 
Mary  Tyson,  daughter  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts)  Ty- 
son, on  10  mo.  18,  1729,  Jone  Potts  signs  the  marriage  cer- 
tificate in  the  middle  column  immediately  following  the  sig- 
natures of  John  Tyson  and  Henry  Tyson. 

There  seems  to  be  nothing  definite  as  to  the  children  of  Jone 
Potts,  except  the  tradition  that  one  of  them  was  that  Mar- 
garet Potts,  who  married  Richard  Cox,  in  17 12.  Joan  Potts 
died  about  1740.  She  was  an  acceptable  minister  among 
Friends.  The  Friend,  Volume  30,  at  page  13,  contains  the 
following  brief  memorial  of  her. 

Joan  Potts,  of  Germantown.  Philadelphia  County,  -who  deceased 
about  1740,  was  for  many  years  an  acceptable  minister  of  the  Gospel. 
Her  communications  were  brief,  but  they  were,  her  friends  say,  "well 
received."  She  was  "innocent  and  exemplary  in  life  and  conversa- 
tion." 


*  See  page  256,  ante. 


Margaret  Potts-Cox.  257 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Marg;aret  Potts-G)x, 


The  minutes  of  Newark  (afterwards  changed  to  Kennet) 
Monthly  Meeting,  of  i  mo.  i,  17 12,  and  held  at  y*'  Center, 
contain  the  following  entr^-, 

Richards  Cocks  Requesting  of  this  meeting  a  Certificate  in  Relation 
to  marriage  w'''  a  ffriend  belonging  to  y^  Monthly  Meeting  at  Abing- 
ton  in  y '  County  of  Philad-^.  Thomas  Wickersham  &  Wm.  Home 
are  appointed  to  Enquire  into  his  clearness  in  Relation  to  marriage 
or  otherwise  &  make  report  to  %•«  next  m''  meeting. 

At  a  meeting  held  2  mo.  5,  17 12,  at  the  same  place,  is  this, 

Thomas  Wickersham  &  William  Home  makes  return  to  this  meet- 
ing y'  they  find  nothing  against  Richard  Cox  to  obstruct,  but  that  he 
is  Clear  in  Relation  to  marriage,  therefore  this  meeting  orders  y'  he 
have  a  Certificate  as  he  requested. 

On  3  mo.  26,  1 71 2,  the  minutes  of  Abington  Monthly 
Meeting  contain  this  record, 

Whereas  Richard  Cox,  of  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting  in  ye  County  of 
New  Castle,  and  Margaret  Potts,  having  declared  their  Intentions  of 
Marriage  with  each  other;  before  two  Monthly  Meetings,  Enquir}-  be- 
ing made  by  persons  appointed  and  found  clear  from  all  others  on  }■« 
account  of  Marriage.  Did  accomplish  their  marriage  in  y^  Unit}'  of 
Friends  as  is  signified  by  their  Marriage  Certificate. 

The  account  book  of  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius  shows  a 
charge  on  May  4,  171 2,  against  Richard  Cox  of  Kennet  in 
Chester  County,  for  a  "  Marriage  Certificate  with  Margaret 
Potts," 

In  Futhey  atid  Cope's  Histo7y  of  Chester  County,  it  is  sta- 
ted that  Richard  Cox  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  son  of  John 
33 


258  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Cox,  who  came  from  England  in  1708,  and  settled  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Kennet.  The  minutes  of  Newark  Month- 
ly Meeting  of  7  mo.  4,  1708,  have  this  entry, 

A  Certificate  being  produced  to  this  meeting  by  John  Cox,  a  flfriend 
lately  Come  from  Ould  England,  which  said  Certificate  being  Read 
is  Excepted  of  by  this  Meeting. 

Of  Margaret  Potts  we  have  no  definite  account.  The 
tradition  mentioned  in  the  last  Chapter,  alleges  that  she  was 
a  daughter  of  Jone  Potts,  the  widow.  Richard  and  Marga- 
ret Cox  sign  Potts  marriage  certificates  among  relatives. 

The  minutes  of  Kennet  Monthly  Meeting,  under  date  of 
4  mo,  6,  1 71 3,  has  this  entry, 

Whereas  Rich'*  Cox  desireth  to  remove  himself  &  family  into  }-« 
Province  of  West  New  Jersey  &  desireth  a  Certificate  of  his  life  &  con- 
versation to  yo  monthly  meeting,  of  Crosswick  [now  Chesterfield] — 
therefore  this  meeting  appoints  Wm.  Horn  &  Isaac  Few  to  make  in- 
quiry concerning  him  &  make  report  to  y^  next  meeting. 

At  the  next  meeting,  held  5  mo.  4,  1713,  is  this  minute, 

W'm.  Horn  gives  this  meeting  accompt  that  Isaac  Few  &  he  have 
made  enquiry  concerning  Rich'^  Cox  &  they  find  nothing  against  him 
therefore  this  meeting  orders  y"^  s^  Friends  to  Draw  a  Certificate  & 
bring  to  y^  next  meeting. 

There  is  no  further  mention  of  this  matter,  and  the  wom- 
en's  minutes  do  not  mention  it  at  all.  The  Crosswicks 
Monthly  Meeting  minutes  contain  no  mention  of  Richard 
Cox,  and  if  he  did  remove  to  that  section  at  all,  he  evident- 
ly soon  returned  to  Kennet. 

In  17 19,  Richard  and  Margaret  Cox  attended  the  double 
wedding  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas  Potts  at  Perkiomen, 
and  were  signers  to  both  marriage  certificates.  That  they 
went  such  a  long  distance  to  attend  these  weddings  is  sug- 
gested as  a  strong  evidence  of  near  relationship. 

In  1722  and  1723,  mention  is  made  in  the  Kennet  Month- 
ly Meeting  minutes  of  Richard  and  Margaret  Cox,  from 
which  it  appears  that  Margaret  had  a  sister  Potts,  who  was 


Margaret  Potts-Cox.  259 

a  member  of  Abington  Meeting  and  at  that  time  unmarried. 

On  4  mo.  I,  1728,  Richard  Cox  made  a  request  to  Kennet 
Monthly  Meeting  for  a  certificate  of  removal,  and  the  fol- 
lowing minute  in  reference  thereto  was  made. 

Request  being  made  on  behalfe  of  Richard  Cox  and  liis  Wife  for  a 
Certificate  to  be  Joined  to  North  Wales  [now  Gwynedd]  Monthly 
Meeting  therefore  we  appoints  John  Heald  and  Joseph  Mendenhali  to 
make  inquiry  into  his  Conversation  and  affairs  if  nothing  appears  to 
obstru(ft  to  joine  with  women  ffriends  to  draw  a  Certificate  for  them 
and  produce  to  the  next  m".  meeting. 

Kennet  minutes  of  6  mo.  3,  1728,  contain  the  following 
entry,  showing  that  the  certificate  was  duly  granted. 

The  Hr^^  appointed  to  draw  a  Certificate  for  Richard  Cox  and  his 
wife  have  produced  it  to  this  meeting  which  was  here  read  and  ap- 
proved, and  those  friends  have  rendered  their  reasons  for  not  appear- 
ing last  meeting  which  are  taken  for  sattisfaiflion. 

The  women  Friends  appointed  Elizabeth  Horn  and  Mar- 
tha Heald  to  inquire  concerning  Margaret  Cox. 

North  Wales,  (Gwynedd),  Monthly  Meeting  then  includ- 
ed some  part  of  Chester  County,  lying  west  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill River.  Whether  Richard  Cox  removed  to  the  bounds 
of  this  meeting  at  this  time  or  not,  is  not  clear.  The  cer- 
tificate does  not  appear  to  have  been  presented  to  Gw3medd 
Monthly  Meeting  prior  to  4  mo.  24,  1729.  After  this  date 
a  sedlion  of  the  minutes  is  missing. 

Richard  Cox  married  a  second  wife,  Mar5^  but  no  record 
of  the  marriage  has  been  found.  On  i  mo.  31,  1733,  a 
Richard  Cox  was  complained  of  at  Kennet  Monthly  Meet- 
ing for  marrying  out  of  meeting.  It  is  however  not  certain 
that  this  Richard  was  identical  with  the  subjec5l  of  this 
Chapter.* 


*  Note.  There  appears  to  have  been  at  least  three  persons  bearing  the  name  of 
Richard  Cox  at  the  same  time.  First,  Richard  Cox  who  married  Margaret  Potts 
in  1712  ;  second,  Richard  Cox,  son  of  Richard  and  Margaret,  born  in  1718  ;  third, 
Richard  Cox,  of  New  Garden,  who  married  EH^^abeth  .Scarlett  in  n  1726.  In  1739, 
a  Richard  Cox  signed  the  marriage  certificate  of  James  Musgrave  and  Hannah 
Cox,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Buzbj')  Cox. 


26o  The  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 

Richard  Cox  was  a  taxable  in  Pikelaud  Township  in  1 749 
and  1 750,  and  in  Vincent  Township  from  1 754  to  1 760,  be- 
ing crossed  off  on  the  latter  date.  Perhaps  he  died  in  the 
latter  year.  His  will,  dated  Nov.  15,  1757,  and  probated 
March  31,  1762,  is  recorded  at  Philadelphia  in  Will-Book 
M,  page  263.  He  is  described  as  of  "  the  Township  of  Vin- 
cent in  the  County  of  Chester  &  Province  of  Pennsylvania, 
Husbandman."  He  devises  his  "House  &  Plantation 
scituate  lying  and  being  in  the  Township,  county  &  prov- 
ince aforesaid,  containing  Twenty-five  acres  of  Land,  etc.," 
to  Mary  Cox,  his  wdfe,  during  her  life.  He  names  his  sons 
Joseph,  Benjamin  and  John  Cox,  his  daughters  Sarah  wife 
of  Qgoige_B ursolic  Elizabeth  wife  of  William  Page,  and  Mary 
wife  of  Jonathan  Potts,*  and  his  grand-daughter  Hannah 
Burson.  Below  is  given  what  seems  to  be  a  correct  state- 
ment of  the  children. 


Chii,dren  of  Richard  and  Margaret  (Potts)  Cox. 

1  Anna  Cox,  b.  8  mo.  29,  1713. 

2  Sarah  Cox,  b.  12  mo.  15,  1715;  m.  George  Burson.  • 

3  Richard  Cox,  b.  2  mo,  17,  1718.  w   '"^ 

4  Jonathan  Cox,  b.  6  mo.  11,  1720.  ^'C'f' 

5  Joseph  Cox,  b.  2  mo.  18,  1723;  m.  Catharine  Watson. 

6  Benjamin  Cox,  b.  2  mo.  18,  1723;   m.  Elizabeth  -'A.  ^ 

7  John  Cox,  b.  8  mo.  9,  1725. 

8  Ehzabeth  Cox,  m.  William  Page. 

9  Mary  Cox,  m.  Jonathan  Potts. 


*  Note.    The  identity  of  this  Jonathan  Potts  has  not  beeu  established. 


Eleanor  Potts-Roberts,  ?6c 


CHAPTER   XIV, 


Eleanor  Potts-Roberts,  of  Bristol  Township. 


Eleanor  Potts  is  first  noticed  in  connedlion  with  the  rec- 
ord of  her  marriage  with  Thomas  Roberts,  i  mo.  26,  1705. 
Tradition  says  that  Thomas  Roberts  came  from  Wales  in 
December,  1699,  in  the  ship  "Canterbury"  with  William 
Peun,  and  settled  in  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  Coun- 
ty, about  five  miles  above  the  City,  where  he  and  his  family 
continued  to  live  for  manj'  5'ears.  He  was  a  stone  mason, 
and  helped  to  build  the  Friends  meeting  house  at  German- 
town,  as  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  state.  He  appears  to 
have  been  a  member  of  the  Friends  Meeting.  The  minutes 
of  Abington  Monthly  ^Meeting  of  i  mo.  26,  1705,  contain 
the  following  entry,  which  probably  refers  to  their  passing 
meeting  the  second  time. 

Whereas  Thomas  Roberts  and  Eleanor  Potts  having  declared  their 
intention  of  Marriage  with  each  other  before  two  Monthly  Meetings, 
and  Enquiry  being  made  by  persons  appointed  &  found  clear  from  all 
others  on  y«  account  of  Marriage,  Were  permitted  to  Marry  a  Mongst 
us. 

In  1713,  Thomas  Roberts  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  in  Bristol  Township.  Some  of  his  descendants  have 
continued  to  live  upon  this  land,  or  in  the  vicinity,  down  to 
the  present  time.  Thomas  Roberts  died  8  mo.  i,  1756,  and 
Eleanor  Potts-Roberts  3  mo.  26,  1766.  Both  are  buried  at 
Germantown.  The  children  of  Thomas  and  Eleanor  Rob- 
erts were  frequently  witnesses  to  Potts  marriage  certificates. 


262 


The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


Chit^drrn  of  Thomas  and  Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts. 

Thomas  Roberts,  Jr.,  b.  1709;  d.  1756;  m.  Rachel  Ijvezey,  1734. 

Children    i  Thomas,    2  James,   3  Daniel,  4  John,  5  Jonathan,, 

6  Mar}-,   7  Ann,  8  Elizabeth. 
Mar)  Roberts,   b.   171 1;   m.  Peter  Tyson,  son  of  Reynier  Tyson, 

1727.     Children,  i  Thomas,  2  Peter,  3  Eleanor. 
Sarah  Roberts. 
John  Roberts. 


Pedigree  of  the  Roberts  Family. 


-Thomas= Rachel 

[Livezey- 


-Thomas=vSusauna  Kirk 

James  Roberts 
-Daniel  Roberts 

John  Roberts 

Jonathan=Martha  Kirk- 


=Marj'  Spencer - 


=Mary  Jones- 

-Mary  Roberts 
-Ann  Roberts 
-Elizabeth  Roberts 


-Jonathan  Roberts 
-Jesse  Roberts 

-Joseph  Roberts 
-Dr.  Levi  Roberts 
-Rachel  Roberts 
-George  Roberts 
-Joseph  Roberts 

-Martha  Roberts 
-Enoch  Roberts. 


I-Thomas  Tyson -^Sarah  Kirk 
-Mary  =Peter  Tyson—  -Peter  Tyson 

|-Eleanor  Tyson 
-Sarah  Roberts 

-John  Roberts 


Margaret  Potts- Morgan.  263 


CHAPTER  XV, 


Margaret  Potts-Morgan, 


Margaret  Potts  married  Evan  Morgan,  December  i, 
170^  as  shown  bj'  the  records  of  Christ  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  Philadelphia.  Aside  from  the  record  of  mar- 
riage, verj''  little  information  of  Evan  and  Margaret  Morgan 
has  come  to  notice.  From  the  manner  of  their  marriage,  it 
would  appear  that,  Margaret  Potts,  unlike  the  other  Potts' 
of  Pennsylvania,  had  not  been  brought  up  under  the  teach- 
ing of  Friends. 

Evan  Morgan  owned  a  tradl  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-two 
acres  of  land  in  Philadelphia  County,  upon  Neshaminy 
Creek,  which  he  and  his  wife  Margaret  convej^ed  by  deed 
to  Thomas  Potts,  butcher,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on 
March  20,  171 3-1 714.  The  deed  is  recorded  at  Philadel- 
phia in  Deed-Book  E  6,  Volume  9,  page  214. 


264  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


Rees  Potts,  of  Germantown. 


Rees,  Reese  or  Riece  Potts,  a  tailor  by  occupation,  is 
found  at  Germantown  shortly  after  the  year  1700.  Infor- 
mation concerning  him  is  very  meager.  There  are  a  few 
quaint  references  to  him,  such  as  ' '  mending  Francis  Daniel 
Pastorius  trowsers, ' '  and  a  credit  for  a  ' '  finished  coat ' '  for 
Samuel  Pastorius.  He  seems  to  have  been  three  times  mar- 
ried, unless  there  was  another  person  of  the  same  name. 

He  owned  land  in  Germantown,  but  the  deed  of  purchase 
does  not  seem  to  be  on  record.  In  17 16,  Riece  Potts,  tailor, 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  join  in  a  deed  for  sale  of  land  in 
Germantown  to  Margaret  Tyson  ;  and  in  171 9,  for  other 
land  to  John  Conards.  In  1719,  Rees  Potts  attended  the 
marriages  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas  Potts  and  signed 
the  certificates,  indicating  ralationship. 

Rees  Potts  married  as  his  second  wife,  Lydia  King,  wid- 
ow of  Thomas  King,  late  of  Cheltenham,  and  seems  to  have 
removed  to  that  township.  Bj'  a  deed  dated  April  14,  1741 , 
"  Rice  Poots  of  Cheltenham,  taylor,  and  Lydia  his  wife,  late 
widow  of  Thomas  King,  of  Cheltenham,"  convey  to  her 
daughters  by  King,  and  their  hu.sbands,  her  interest  in  85 
acres  of  her  former  husband.  A  recital  of  this  deed  calls 
him  Reese  Potts. 

Perhaps  Lydia  Potts  did  not  long  survive,  as  the  records 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Philadelphia  show  the 
marriage  of  Rees  Potts  and  Christina  Rambo,  3  mo.  30,  1743. 
No  will  or  administration  has  been  found. 


Jonathan  Potts,  op  Lower  Dublin.  265 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Lower  Dublin. 


There  seems  to  be  some  confusion  as  to  the  identity  of 
some  of  the  earlier  persons  bearing  the  name  of  Jonathan 
Potts.  The  following  perhaps  includes  all  the  earlier  Potts' 
bearing  this  name. 

Jonathan  Potts,  son  of  David  and  Alice  (Croasdale) 
Potts,  born,  1701,  in  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  Coun- 
ty, married  Sarah  Wood  in  1729,  and  settled  in  Whitemarsh 
Township.  Whether  there  were  children  or  not  is  uncer- 
tain, at  this  writing.  In  the  Rent  Roll  Books  at  Harrisburg, 
Jonathan  Potts,  of  Whitemarsh  Township,  is  charged  with 
the  quit-rent  on  104;^  acres.  The  date  given  is  1702,  and 
is  doubtless  the  time  from  which  the  quit-rent  is  computed. 
[See  Part  III.] 

Jonathan  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  and  Rachel  (James) 
Potts,  and  grandson  of  David  and  Alice  (Croasdale)  Potts, 
of  Bristol  Township,  born,  1723,  married  Sarah  Clifton,  in 
1756.      [See  Part  III. 

Jonas  Potts  seems  to  have  had  a  son  Jonathan,  born  in 
1 714,  who  removed,  first  to  Virginia  and  afterward  to  Ken- 
tucky. 

In  1740,  a  Jonathan  Potts  is  mentioned  in  connedtion 
with  Maxatawney  Township. 

The  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  of  Odlober  17,  1754,  publishes 
a  list  of  unclaimed  letters  remaining  in  the  post-office  at 
Trenton,  New  Jersey,  on  September  28,  1754,  and  among 
34 


266  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

them  is  one  addressed  to    "  Jonathan  Potts,   Kingston." 

Richard  Cox,  in  his  will,  1757,  mentions  "my  Daughter 
Mary  Potts,  wife  of  Jonathan  Potts."       [See  page  260.] 

The  Abington  Monthly  Meeting  records  the  burial,  at 
at  Cheltenham,  2  mo.  24,  1763,  of  Sarah  Potts,  wife  of  Jon- 
athan Potts,  not  a  member. 

Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  son  of  John  and  Jluth  (Savage) 
Potts,  born  1745,  has  a  history  so  well  known,  that  he  can- 
not be  confounded  with  any  of  the  others  bearing  the  same 
name.      [See  Memorial  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior. ~\ 


1  JONATHAN  POTTS.  From  a  Bible  record,  still  in 
possession  of  the  descendants,  it  appears  that  there  was  a 
Jonathan  Potts  with  a  wife  Rebecca,  w^ho  had  a  son,  Jona- 
than, Junior,  born  in  1758.  They  are  said  to  have  resided 
in  Philadelphia  County,  and  in  1784  the  son  is  described 
as  of  Lower  Dublin  Township.  It  is  thought  bj^  descend- 
ants that  he  was  twice  married,  and  that  his  second  wife 
was  Rebecca  Flinthem.  It  is  said  that  the  wife  of  Jonathan 
Potts,  Junior,  frequently  talked  of  "aunt  Richards,"  who  is 
thought  to  have  been  of  her  husband' s  family.  These  are 
possible  clues  to  a  fuller  knowledge.  This  Jonathan  Potts 
may  or  may  not  have  been  identical  with  one  of  the  above 
named  Jonathan  Potts' .  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  ear- 
liest Bible  record, 

Jonatlian  Potts,  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Rebecca  Potts,  was  born 

the  5th  day  of  July,  175S. 


2  Jonathan  Potts,  Junior, ^  son  of  Jonathan  and  Re- 
becca Potts,  was  born  July  5,  1758.  He  served  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  tra(|e, 
but  later  became  a  farmer.  In  1784,  he  purchased  land  in 
Moreland  Township,    Montgomery  County,  being  then  de- 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Lower  Dublin.  267 

scribed  as  of  Lower  Dublin  Township,  Philadelphia  Coun- 
ty. He  married  Sarah  Wright,  daughter  of  John  and  Ra- 
chel Wright,  about  17 85. 

Jonathan  Potts  and  family  were  Baptists.  Sarah  Potts 
was  received  into  Penypack  Church  in  1784,  and  Jonathan 
in  1804.  On  Odtober  10,  1807,  Jonathan  Potts  with  his 
wife  and  daughter  were  received  into  Southampton  Baptist 
Church  in  Bucks  County,  from  Lower  Dublin.  The  South- 
ampton Church  was  only  a  few  miles  from  the  Potts'  place 
of  residence.  Joi.athan  Potts  was  an  acStive  church  mem- 
ber and  long  served  in  the  office  of  a  deacon.  He  died  Feb. 
22,  1840,  in  his  eighty  second  year.  An  obituary  notice  is 
entered  in  the  minutes  of  the  Southampton  Church.  His 
will  is  recorded  at  Norristown. 

Sarah  Potts,  wife  of  Jonathan,  was  born  June  28,  1764, 
and  died  Dec.  19,  1847,  in  the  eightj^-fourth  year  of  her  age. 
Husband  and  wife  are  both  buried  in  the  graveA'ard  of  the 
Southampton  Baptist  Church. 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Wright)  Potts. 

3  Rebecca  Potts,    b.    0(51.   13,  17S6;    d.    Feb.  5,  1863;    m.    George 

Murray.     Children,   i  William  A.;  2  Joseph  H.,  3  Christianna, 

4  Sarah  C,  5  Gorden  G.,  6  Peter  G. 

4  Rachel  Potts,  b.  July  25,  17S9;  d.  0(5l.  25,  1836.  m.  Murraj-. 

Had  two  sons. 

5  John  Potts,  b.  Jan.  14,  1792;  d.  Sep.  14,  1866;  unm. 

6  Thomas  Potts,  b.  July  19,  1794.     Lived  at  Kaolin,  Penna.     ^ 

7  William  Potts,  b.  Feb  i,  1797;  d.  Sep.  17,  1871;   m.  Sarah  Rob- 

bins.     Children,    i  Emeline,  2  John,  3  Mary  Ann,  4  Charles. 

8  Mordecai  Potts,  b.  Nov.  13,  1799;  d.  May  22,  1883;  m.  Mary  Van- 

degrift.     Children,   i  Ellwood,   2  Sarah,  3  Lydia,  4  Ann  Eliza, 

5  Mary. 

9  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Aug.  3,  1S02;  d.  April  16,  18S6;  m.  JohnLee- 

dom.      Children,    i  Lydia  Ann,  2  Jonathan,  3  Samuel,  4  Wil- 
liam Potts,  5  Mar}',  6  Alfred,    7  John  Howard,    8  George  M., 
9  Sarah  Potts.      The  last  named  married  George  W.  Lefferts  in 
1862  and  had  children,    i  Howard  Leedom,   2  Henry  Tom- 
linson,  3  Howard  Hogeland,  4  Naomi  Jane. 

10  Lydia  Potts,  b.  March  23,  1805;  d.  March  17,  1877;  unm. 


268 


The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


Four  generations  of  this  family  are  fairly  well  shown  in 
the  diagram  printed  below. 


Pedigree  of  Jonathan  Potts'  Family. 


-Jonathan=Sarah 

[Wi-isjht— 
B.  1758  B.  1764 

D.  1847  D.  1840 


■Rebecca  -  George  Murraj'- 


-WilHani  A.  Murray 
-Joseph  H.  Murray 
-Christiana  Murray 
-Sarah  C.  Murray 
-George  G.  Murray 
|-Peter  G.  Murray 


Murray  — 


-John  Potts 
-Thomas— - 


-William^Sarah  Robbins- 


-Mordecai=Mary  Vandegrift- 


-Elizabeth    John  I^eeilom- 


-Lydia  Potts 


-Emeline  Potts 
-John  Potts 
-Mary  Ann  Potts 

-Ellwood  Potts 
-Sarah  Potts 
-Lydia  Potts 
-Ann  Eliza  Potts 
-Mary  Potts 

-Lydia  Ann  Leedom 
-Jonathan  Leedom 
-Samuel  Leedom 
-Mary  Leedom 
-Alfred  Leedom 
-J no.  Howard  Leedom 
-Goerge  M.  Leedom 
-Sarah -=George  W. 

[Lefferts 


Resiuknck  <)i<^  Thomas   ]Ma>:wki.l  Potts. 


I'AliK      .'••tK. 


Solution  of  thk  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  269 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 


"Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle*** 


The  earlier  historians  of  the  Potts  Family  found  a  Thom- 
as Potts,  Sr. ,  who  landed  at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  in  the 
year  1678,  who  afterwards  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and 
died  there  in  1726.  At  Burlington,  Thomas  Potts,  Junior, 
was  mentioned  as  his  son  and  heir.  At  Philadelphia,  Thom- 
as Potts,  Sr. ,  in  his  will,  names  Thomas  Potts,  as  his  son 
and  principal  heir.  He  also  mentions  his  grandson  Thom- 
as Potts,  and  the  other  children  of  his  son  Thomas.  The 
conditions  of  the  will  were  exacftly  suited  to  Thomas  Potts, 
Junior,  (Colebrookbale),  for  he  had  a  son  Thomas  and  oth- 
er children.  A  seemingly  legitimate  conclusion  was  reached 
that  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  was  the  only 
son  and  heir  of  Thomas  Potts  (Shield).  This  statement 
was  published  time  and  again,  without  an}'  question  as  to 
its  truth.  Other  persons  bearing  the  name  of  Potts  were 
noticed  living  in  the  same  localities.  These  were  all  thought 
to  be  descendants  of  the  original  Thomas  Potts,  of  Burling- 
ton ;  but  when  an  attempt  was  made  to  show  the  descent, 
difficulties  arose  and  explanations  advanced  that  were  wholy 
untenable. 

In  1869,  Mrs.  Thomas  Potts  James,  of  Cambridge,  Mas- 
sachussetts,  issued  a  circular  announcing  that  she  was  about 
to  publish  a  work  entitled  T/ie  Potts  Memorial :  an  Accomit 
of  the  Desce7idants  of  Thomas  Potts,  who  was  persecuted  for  his 
faith  in  Chester,  England,  1653,  etc.  This  work  was  intend- 
ed to  be  a  history  of  the  Potts  family  through  Thomas  Potts, 


270  The  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 

Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  whom  she  then  believed  to  be  the 
son  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  that  the  latter  was 
identical  with  Thomas  Potts,  the  Persecuted  Quaker  of 
Cheshire.* 

About  the  same  time,  Mr.  William  John  Potts,  of  Cam- 
den, New  Jersey,  having  his  attention  called  to  the  subjedl, 
entered  into  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  early  history  of 
the  Potts'  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  a 
spirited  correspondence  with  Mrs.  Potts  James.  He  exam- 
ined wills,  deeds,  church  and  family  records,  bearing  on  this 
particular  phase  of  subjecft,  in  a  manner  more  thorough  and 
systematic  than  had  previously  been  attempted.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  colledling  evidence  showing  that  Thomas  Potts, 
(Shield),  and  his  descendants,  were  entirel}"  distinct  from 
the  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania,  so  far  as  near  relationship  in 
this  countrj^  was  concerned. 

Mrs.  James  and  nearly  all  others,  who  had  given  the  sub- 
jedl intelligent  study,  when  confronted  with  the  fuller  facfts, 
were  thoroughly  convinced  that  Thomas  Potts,  Junior, 
(Colebrookdale),  was  not  the  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield), 
and  abandoned  the  claim.  The  late  James  Henry  Carr, 
of  Philadelphia,  who  also  had  given  years  of  study  to  the 
subjedl  and  colledled  much  valuable  data,  refused  to  admit 
the  fadl,  and  in  1880,  published  an  article  in  the  Montgomery 
Ledger,  entitled  ' '  Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle, ' '  in 
which  he  endeavored  to  prove  that  Thomas  Potts,  Junior, 
(Colebrookdale),  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield). 
This  article  is  made  up  of  a  large  number  of  brief  abstradls 
of  wills,  deeds,  etc. ,  so  arranged  as  to  seem  to  prove  his  al- 
legations. A  few  of  the  abstradls  contain  misstatements 
which  may  have  crept  in  through  oversight  or  inadvertance. 

It  is  believed  that  all  who  have  read  the  foregoing  Chap- 
ter, need  no  further  argument  to  have  a  clear  and  concise 
comprehension  of  the  true  state  of  the  case.     It  is,  however. 


*  Note.     For  an  account  of  Thomas  Potts,  the  Persecuted  Quaker,  see  pp.  40-60. 


Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  271 

the  object  of  this  Chapter  to  re-priut  ^Ir.  Can's  article,  with 
a  few  foot-notes  showing  the  fallacy  of  his  conclusions. 

That  Thomas  Potts,  tanner,  of  Burlington,  New  Jersej^, 
and  Thomas  Potts,  tanner,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
were  one  and  the  same  person,  all  are  willing  to  admit. 
If  there  were  nothing  else,  his  peculiar  signature,  found  both 
at  Burlington  and  Philadelphia,  would  be  most  convincing 
that  they  had  been  written  by  the  same  hand.  In  addition 
to  the  tracings  already  given  in  this  work,  on  pages  130  and 
and  133,  one  other  is  here  given,  being  a  fac-simile  of  his 
signature  attached  to  tlie  bond  of  Mary  Ingram,  at  Burling- 
ton, in  1694.      [See  page  129,  ante.] 


i&rn^  1^0 'Ik 


In  a  private  letter,  written  by  Mr.  Carr  to  Mr.  William 
John  Potts,  after  the  publication  of  the  article,  he  stated 
that  the  original  manuscript  sent  to  the  Ledger  contained 
an  acknowledgment  of  his  having  obtained  much  valuable 
memoranda  from  Mr.  Potts,  but  the  editor  or  proof-reader 
had  elimintead  it  in  order  to  curtail  the  length  of  the  arti- 
cle. 

The  following  is  the  article  as  it  appeared  in  the  Mo7it- 
gomery  Ledger  of  November  2,  1880.  The  foot-notes  are 
hy  the  compiler  hereof. 

SOLUTION  OF  THE  OLD  POTTS  PUZZLE. 


Who  was  Thomas  Potts  1678  ? —  Who  are  his  Descendants  ? 


BY  JAMES   HENRY  CARR,    OF   PHILA. 

Smith's  History-  of  New  Jersey  (in  notes)  informs  us  that  the  Ship 
Shield,  Captain  Daniel  Towes,  from  Hull,  England,  arrived  in  the 
Delaware  river,  in  December,  167S,  and  anchored  before  Burlington. 
Among  its  passengers  were  Thomas  Potts  -n-ith  his  wife  and  children. 


272  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

We  have  no  knowledge  of  his  previous  history',  or  place  of  birth,  but, 
with  aid  of  public  records,  still  preserved  in  New  Jersey,  and  in  the 
county  of  Philadelphia,  we  are  made  familiar  with  his  transadtions  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death  in  Germantown,  in  1726.* 

1680.  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  town  and  county  of  Burlington,  in  the 
Province  of  West  Jersey,  purchased  dwelling,  bark  mill,  tanj^ard,  &c., 
from  John  Woolston,  by  deed  dated  30  December,  i68o.t — ['SVc  Trenton 
liecords.'] 

1682.  Thomas  Potts  and  Ann  Potts  were  subscribing  witnesses  to 
the  marriage  of  John  Antrim,  on  the  15th  day  of  the  3d  month,  1682, 
as  appears  by  the  records  of  Friends'  Meeting  at  Burlington. 

1689.  {^Extracts  from  the  original  records  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Pei\- 
nepack.'] 

1686.  Thomas  Potts  baptised  by  EHas  Keach,  at  Burlington,  West 
Jersey. 

1686.  Ann  Potts,  baptised  by  Elias  Keach,  at  Burlington,  West 
Jersey. 

1699.  Grace  Farmer,  baptised  by  John  Watts,  in  Pennsylvania,  at 
Pennepack. 

1705.     Alice  Pusser,  baptised  by  Thomas  Griffith,  at  Pennepack. 

17 15.  Thomas  Potts  and  Grace  Farmer  were  married. 

1 7 16.  Thomas  Potts  and  Alice  Pusser  were  married. 

[Extracts from  Friends'  Records,  TJiird  and  Arch  streets  Meeting  House.'\ 

1 7 14.  Ann  Potts,  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  tanner,  died  9th  of  7th 
month. 

1 7 15.  Grace  Potts,  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  tanner,  died  15th  of  6th 
month. 


1699.  Thomas  Potts  of  Burlington  and  Ann  his  wife,  sold  and  con- 
veyed dwelling,  bark  mill,  tanyard,  &c.,  to  Christopher  Wetherill,  of 
same  place,  Taylor,  by  deed  dated  14th  March,  1699. 

1699.  Thomas  Potts,  senior,  of  the  town  and  county  of  Burlington, 
tanner,  and  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  the  township  of  Springfield,  in 
said  county,  son  of  ye  said  Thomas  Potts,  senior,  executed  a  bond, 
dated  14th  of  March,  in  the  12th  year  of  the  reign  of  William  the 


*  Note.  The  statements  made  in  this  article  that  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  [or 
tanner,]  lived  at  Germantown  and  died  there,  are  certainly  incorredl.  No  evidence 
has  been  adduced  to  show  that  he  ever  had  even  business  transaiflions  at  or  about 
Germantown.  The  records  of  Pennypack  Baptist  Church  show  that  he  died  at 
Philadelphia.    See  page  131,  ante. 

t  Note.    For  a  more  accurate  abstradl  of  this  deed,  see  page  127,  ante. 


Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  273 

Third,  Anno,  1699,  to  s;cura  quiet  possession  of  the  above  premises  to 
said  Cristoplier  WetherilL*         [Signed.] 


^^ 


o-nx  <£^    i^cm 


1692.  l^PIiilndelphia  Countij  Records.l  Thomas  Potts,  of  German- 
town,  Philad  ilphia  county,  tanner,  purchased  land  in  that  township, 
as  early  as  the  5th  of  loth  month,  1692.  Subsequently  he  was  a  party 
to  various  transadlions  in  real  estate,  in  each  of  which  he  is  designat- 
ed as  above,  up  to  1725.  t 

1699.  \_Extract  from  Recordu  of  Monthly  Meeting  of  Germantoivn,  in 
the  possession  of  Friends,  3d  and  Arch  streets.l 

"  At  a  monthly  meeting  held  8th  month  3d,  1699,  Thomas  Potts  and 
Martha  Keurling  (Courling  or  Kerlin)  having  declared  their  inten- 
tions of  marriage  with  each  other  before  two  monthly  meetings,  en- 
quiry being  made  by  persons  appointed  and  found  clear  from  all  oth- 
ers on  account  of  marriage,  did  accomplish  their  marriage  in  the  unity 
of  Friends,  as  signified  by  their  marriage  certificate."  X 

1700.  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of  Germantown,  was  in  his  minorit}'  in 
the  year  1700,  when  he  became  a  speculator  in  lands  in  that  vicinity, 
but  in  1707  he  executed  a  deed  which  confirmed  his  previous  convey- 
ances, and  recited  that  he  had  since  that  time  attained  the  full  age  of 
twenty  one  years.     His  deeds  style  him  as  "vidtualler"  or  "butcher." 

1714-15.  lExtracift  from  Friend's  Records  of  3d  and  Arch  Streets 
Meeting. ~\ 

1714.  Martha  Potts,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Potts,  died 
1 8th  of  6th  month. 

1 7 15.  Martha  Potts,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  Potts,  died 
2d  of  5th  month. 

1 72 1.  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  and  Magdalen  [Robeson]  his  (second) 
wife,  sold  and  conveyed  to  Robert  Thomas  a  tracl  of  land  containing 
300  acres,  which  he  had  bought  in  1715.      This  deed,  properly  signed 


*  Note.  For  abstracfls  of  this  transadtion  and  an  account  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr., 
(Mansfield),  see  pages  129  and  134-145,  ante. 

t  NOTK.  Thomas  Potts,  sold  this  land  in  1695.  A  copy  of  the  deed  of  purchase 
is  printed  on  page  202,  ante,  and  immediately  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  deed 
of  sale.  In  both  of  the.se  deeds,  Thomas  Potts,  is  described  as  of  Philadelphia 
County,  and  in  neither  is  he  described  as  "  tanner."  Thoinas  Potts,  (Shield),  the 
tanner,  contin\ied  to  reside  at  Burlington.  N.  J.,  until  1699.  It  is  therefore  plainly 
evident  that  Mr.  Carr  has  made  a  misstatement,  and  ha.s  here  mistaken  Thomas 
Potts,  the  miller,  for  Thomas  Potts,  the  tanner. 

X  Note.  For  an  account  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  otherwise  Thomas  Potts,  (Cole- 
brookdale),  see  Chapter  X,  pages  234  to  242. 

35 


274  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

by  Thomas  and  Magdalen  Potts,  was  not  duly  acknowledged  and 
therefore  it  b^canii  n^cassary  to  obtain  proof  of  its  execution  by  them, 
and  this  was  had  on  the  "  testiraonj'  of  John  Potts,  Esq.,  son  of  the 
said  Thomas  Potts,"  on  the  20th  of  April,  176S,  nearly  forty  seven 
years  after  its  execution.  NoTK.^ — This  same  John  Potts  was  the 
founder  of  Pottstown.     ■ 

1726.  The  last  Will  and  Testament  af  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  of  Phila- 
delphia, tanner,  dated  25th  February,  1725,  was  duly  proved  on  the 
loth  of  November,  1726.  It  names  his  wife  Alice  Potts  ;  son  Thomas 
Potts  ;  his  grandson'  Thomas  Potts,  and  other  grandchildren.*  Thos. 
Griffith,  a  baptist  preacher  (who  baptised  his  wife  in  1705). — ISce  Bap- 
tist Pmnepuck  Iiecnrd><^. 

This  undisputed  will  of  a  much  disputed  head  of  a  famil}',  who  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Burlington,  in  what  was  then  termed  the 
West  Jersey  Colony,  scattered  along  the  shores  of  the  Delaware  river, 
is  still  in  tolerable  good  condition,  and  presents  the  verj-  peculiar  sig- 
nature of  the  old  Burlington  and  Germantown  tanner,  thus  : 


CrS^O     ^O/rif 


1728.  Thomas  Potts,  the  only  son  and  heir  at  law  of  Thomas  Potts, 
late  of  Philadelphia,  tanner,  deceased,  sold  and  convej'ed  to  George 
House,  by  deed  dated  loth  of  March,  172S,  a  lot  of  ground  situate  on 
Chestnut  street,  which  recited  that  his  father  bought  it  in  the  year 

1736.  Thomas  Potts,  in  Ma}^,  1736,  appears  on  record  as  an  ironmas- 
ter, residing  in  Colebrook  Dale  township,  Philadelphia  county,  and  he 
then  purchased  from  Gerhart  Henkels,  of  that  place,  a  messuage  and 
plantation  of  192  acres,  which  Thomas  Potts  and  Magdalen,  his  wife, 
in  1 74 1,  sold  and  conveyed  to  Thomas  Wilson.       His  first  purchase 


*  See  copy  of  this  Will  on  pages  131  to  133,  ante. 

t  Note;.  When  Mr.  Carr  was  personally  appealed  to  for  evidence  that  Thomas 
Potts,  (Colebrookdale),  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Totts,  (Shield),  he  referred  to  this 
deed  as  being  positive  proof.  A  copy  of  this  deed  is  reproduced  on  pages  138  to  140. 
The  most  rigid  examination  fails  to  show  any  connedlion  with  Thomas  Potts, 
(Colebrookdale).  The  maker  of  this  deed  was  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Mansfield). 
Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  also  devised  a  lot  of  ground  in  Gilbert's  Alley,  to  Thomas 
Potts,  his  grandson,  who  in  172S  sold  the  lot  to  Andrew  Edge.  The' grandson  is 
described  in  the  deed  as  "  Thomas  Potts,  of  Mansfield  in  the  County  of  Burlington 
in  the  Western  Division  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  Tanner."  [.See  copy  on 
pages  146  to  14S.  ante]  Thomas  Potts,  the  grandson  and  maker  of  the  deed,  could 
not  have  been  Thomas,  the  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  because 
he  was  then  [172S]  not  above  twelve  years  of  age  and  legally  incapable  of  exe- 
cutingadeed.    Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Tanner),  had  then  but  recently  become  of  age. 


Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  275 

there   was  in   1733  as  Thomas  Potts,  yeoman,  and  the  last  in  1742, 
which  included  a  farm  and  tract  of  land  in  Manatawn}-. 

1746.  A  deed  executed  by  "  John  Potts,  the  only  son  and  heir  at 
law  of  Martha  Potts,  deceased,  who  was  one  of  the  children  of  Peter 
Keurling,  of  Germantown,  deceased  ;  Joseph  Walker  and  Elizabeth, 
his  wife,  one  of  the  daughters  of  the  said  Martha  Potts,  and  Derrick 
Cleaver  and  Mary,  his  wife,  the  other  daughter  of  the  said  Martha 
Potts,"  dated  5th  of  September,  1746,  conveyed  lands  situate  in  Ger- 
mantown to  Bernard  Reser.     This  deed  was  recorded  in  1752. 

1734.  John  Potts,  of  Colebrookdale,  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  and 
his  first  wife,  Martha  Keurling,  was  married  on  the  i  ith  day  of  April, 
1734,  to  Ruth  Savage,  of  Coventry,  in  Chester  County.  Their  mar- 
riage certificate  presents  the  names  of  many  witnesses,  amongst  which 
appear  those  of  his  father  and  step-mother  ;  his  brother  Thomas  ;  his 
sisters  Elizabeth  Walker  and  Mary  Cleaver  ;  and  also  of  Hannah  Ker- 
lin,  (possibly  his  maternal  aunt).* 

1752.  On  the  lotli  of  January,  1752,  the  last  Will  and  Testament  of 
Thomas  Potts,  of  Colebrook  Dale,  iron  master,  was  proven  and  regis- 
tered at  Philadelphia.  It  was  dated  8th  September,  1747,  and  names 
his  wife  Magdalen  ;  sons  Thomas,  David  and  John  ;  daughters  Eliza- 
beth Walker  and  Mary  Cleaver  ;  grand-daughter  Sarah,  (daughter  of 
son  Thomas)  ;  grandsons  Stephen  Yorke  and  Edward  Yorke. 

1749.  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  of  Colebrookdale,  son  of  the  above 
named  Thomas  and  Magdalen,  was  married  before  1749,  to  Rebecca 
Rutter,  daughter  of  Thomas  Rutter,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Mary  Cath- 
arine Gosling,  his  wife.  Thomas  Rutter  died  in  1734.  Thomas  and 
Rebecca  Potts  had  five  children,  viz  :  David,  Sarah,  Hannah,  Marga- 
ret and  Mary.  Ha\-ing  survived  his  wife  Rebecca,  he  subsequently 
married  Deborah  Pyewell,  daughter  of  Wm.  Pyewell,  of  Philadelphia, 
merchant,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  viz  :  William  and  Rebecca 
Potts. 

Every  intelligent  reader  has  here  presented  to  him  a  full  and  relia- 
ble family  chart  of  the  Potts'  of  Pottstown,  from  the  original  tanner  of 
Burlington,  their  first  American  ancestor.  It  is  only  intended  at  this 
time  to  carry  it  down  to  the  period  when  all  the  family  genealogists 
failed  to  know  who  they  were  looking  for,  in  consequence  of  the  name 
Thomas  Potts  belonging  to  so  many  different  settlers  at  that  early 
date.     The  following  recapitulation  will  close  this  sketch  : 


*  Sec  a  full  list  of  the  witnesses  to  this  marriage  certificate  on  page  243,  ante. 


276  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

BIRTHS,    DEATHS   AND   MARRIAGES. 
167S.     Thomas  Potts  and  family  arrived  at  Burlington,  N.  J. 
1680.     Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  Potts,  born.* 

1 7 14.  Ann  Potts,  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  died  9th  month,  7th. 

1 7 15.  Thomas  Potts  and  Grace  Farmer  married. 

1 7 15.  Grace  Potts,  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  died  15th  of  6th  mo. 

17 16.  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  and  Alice  Pusser,  married. 
1726.  Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  husband  of  Alice,  died. 
1752.  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann,  died.* 

Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  County. 

From  the  multitude  of  Records  still  existing  in  Philadelphia,  in 
which  persons  named  Potts  were  parties,  I  many  years  since  gleaned 
the  following,  referring  unmistakably  to  members  of  a  family  which 
continued  to  reside  in  Bristol  township,  Philadelphia  county  in  and 
after  the  year  1699. 

1699.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  township,  miller,  was  a  party  to  a 
deed  for  lands  in  that  township,  dated  28th  of  4th  month,  1699.  He 
was  .styled  yeoman  in  1698.! 

1702.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  township,  miller,  sold  and  conveyed 
lands  in  that  township,  to  George  Gray,  including  a  portion  of  two 
grist  mills,  known  as    "  Potts'  Mills." 

1708.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol  township,  Philadelphia  county,  mil- 
ler, purchased  lands  in  that  township.  He  is  then  styled  Thomas 
Potts,  Sr. 

In  the  Logan  colledlion  of  manuscript  papers  now  in  the  possession 
of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  there  are  several  autographs 
of  this  Bri,stol  township  miller,  which  are  here  fairly  represented. 


C^o-nW^ 


171 1.  Deed  from  Samuel  Richardson  and  others  to  Thomas  Potts, 
Sr.,  David  Potts  and  others,  all  of  said  County  of  Philadelphia,  for 
two  pieces  of  land  containing  together  fifty  acres  in  Germantown,  da- 
ted 8th  of  Odlober,  17 11.  These  grantees  were  Trustees  of  the  Month- 
ly Meeting  of  Friends,  and  purchased  this  property  for  a  Meeting 
House  lot. 


*  Note.  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  born  16S0,  and  died  1752,  wjs 
not  the  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Shield),  and  the  statements  to  that  effetft  in  this  ar- 
ticle, are  without  foundation  in  fadl.    See  Chapters  III  and  X. 

t  NOTK.     For  an  account  of  Thomas  I'otts,  (Miller),  see  Chapter  VII. 


Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  277 

17 12.  By  the  Record  of  marriages  within  the  county  of  Bucks,  in 
the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  it  appears  that  on  the  28th  of  5th  month, 
1712,  Thomas  Potts  was  granted  a  certificate  of  license  to  marry  Ju- 
dith Sharp,*  of  Long  Island.  Copy  in  the  Historical  Society  of  Penn- 
SA'lvania. 

1 7 19.  The  last  Will  and  Testament  of  Thos.  Potts,  of  Bristol  town- 
ship. County  of  Philadelphia,  miller,  was  proven  and  registered  on 
the  3d  of  Odlober,  17 19,  having  been  dated  the  6th  of  the  3d  month 
called  May  (old  style)  in  the  same  year.  It  names  his  wife  Judith 
and  his  son  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (in  his  minority,)  and  no  other. 
[Signed.] 


1744.  Deed  dated  12  November,  1744,  by  Thomas  Potts,  of  Bristol 
township.  County  of  Philadelphia,  j-eoman,  (the  only  son  and  heir-at- 
law  of  Thomas  Potts,  late  of  the  same  place,  miller,  deceased, )  and 
Susanna  his  wife  ;  Judith  Sharp,  formerly  Judith  Potts,  widow,  the 
relidl  and  executrix  of  the  said  Thomas  Potts,  the  father,  of  the  first 
part,  and  Robert  Strettel,  of  Philadelphia,  merchant,  of  the  other  part, 
for  lands  in  Bristol  township. 

1749.  Mortgages  by  the  same  parties  as  above,  to  Robert  Strettel, 
to  secure  the  payment  of  thirty  pounds,  Pennsylvania  currency,  and 
describing  forty  acres  and  forty  perches  of  land  in  that  township. 

1 75 1.  Letters  of  administration  to  the  Estate  of  Thomas  Potts,  late 
of  Bristol  township,  Philadelphia  county,  were  granted  unto  his  wid- 
ow Susanna  Potts,  on  the  29th  of  May,  175 1. 


From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that : 

Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  of  Bristol  township,  miller,  died  there  in  17 19. 
Thomas  Potts,  Sr.,  of  Germantown,  tanner,  died  there  in  1726. 
Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of  Bristol  township,  son  of  tha  miller,  died  1751. 
Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of  Germantown,   &c.,    son  of  the  tanner,   died 
1752. 

The  old  and  uniform  pradlice  of  genealogists,  charging  these  good 
and  enterprising  citizens  of  our  county  with  the  paternity  of  all  the 
stray  Potts'  in  and  near  Philadelphia,  should  now  be  abandoned  out  of 
consideration  for  the  fair  fame  of  such  orphans  of  unknown  Potts'. 

*  Note.  Thomas  Potts  married  Judith  Smith.  As  the  widow  of  Thomas  Potts, 
she  subsequently  married  Thomas  Sharp.     [See  page  206  and  211,  ante]. 


278  The  Potts  Family  in  Americ,v 

David  Potts,  of  Bristol  Township. 
1730.  The  Will  of  David  Potts,  of  Bristol  township,  Philadelphia 
county,  dated  13th  November,  1730,  was  proved  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month.  It  names  his  eldest  son  Thomas,  sons  John  and  Jona- 
than, Elizabeth,  Stephen,  Mary  and  R^bscca ;  d^ceasad  son  Daniel's 
children  ;  sons  Nathan  and  Ezekiel.  David  Potts  survived  his  wife, 
Alice  Croasdale,  who  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Agnes 
Croasdale,  of  Bucks  County.  They  married  5th  Mo.  2d,  1694.  Their 
children  were  as  follows  : 

I — Thomas,  born  in  1695  ;  married  Rachel  James  in  17 15. 
2 — John,  born  in  1696  ;  married  Elizabeth  McVavigh  in  1726. 
3 — Daniel,  born  in  1698  ;  married  Sarah  Shoemaker  in  1721. 
4 — Elizabeth,  born  in  1699  ;  married  Peter  Cleaver,  Jr.,  in  1722. 
5 — Jonathan,  born  in  1701  ;■  married  Sarah  Wood  in  1729. 
6 — Mar}',  born  in  1703-4  ;  married  Jeremiah  McVaugh  in  1729. 
7 — Stephen,  born  in  1704-5. 
S — Rebecca,  born  in  1705-6. 

9 — Ezekiel,  born  in  1708  ;   married  Magdalen 1732  ;  second 

wife  Barbara  1751. 
10 — Nathan  ;  died  1754  ;  married  Hester in  1742. 

Let  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Germantown  tainier  outlived  the 
Bristol  township  miller  ;  and  that  the  only  son  of  the  tanner  outlived 
the  only  son  of  the  miller.  Besides  this,  it  should  be  remembered 
that  the  tanner's  son  had  a  large  family  of  children,  while  the  miller's 
son  had  none. 

The  next  best  chance  for  the  genealogists  to  work  upon  would  be 
the  "tanner  No.V*  of  Burlington,  of  the  same  name,  who  is  yet 
largely  represented  by  the  family  known  as  "the  Trenton  Potts'," 
and  those  above  naniid  as  descendanLs  of  David  Potts,  of  Bristol 
township. 

My  work  in  this  line  bsgan  over  twenty  years  ago,  as  a  labor  of  love, 
in  behalf  of  a  most  amiable  and  noble  representative  of  the  oldest  line 
of  Potts  ;  but,  as  my  work  progressed,  my  record  notes  were  literally 
copied,  and  even  published  in  a  beautiful  "Memorial"  without  a 
word  of  credit  for  so  much  truth, — while  at  the  same  tinje  they  were 
mixed  with  balderdash,  fiction,  coat  of  arms  and  "probabilities," 
that  I  deem  it  due  to  the  family  most  interested  to  furnish  these  relia- 
ble fadls  concerning  their  American  ancestors. 


*  Note.  "Thomas  Potts,  Tanner,  No.  2,  of  Burlington,"  is  a  mith  without  the 
slightest  evidence  of  exi.stence,  unless  the  term  be  applied  to  Thomas  Potts,  Jr., 
(Mansfield),  or  to  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Tanner),  the  son  and  grandson  of  Thomas 
Potts,  JR-,  (Shield),  both  of  whom  were  tanners. 


SOI.UTION  OF  THE  OlD  PoTTS  PuZZI^E.  279 

The  Montgomery  Ledger  may  render  important  assistance  to  the 
searchers  after  ancestors  in  the  Potts  line,  by  publishing  the  following 
record  notes  not  previously  referred  to  by  me.  * 

1698.  Thomas  Potts  and  Mary  Records  solemnized  their  marriage 
at  ye  house  of  Tho.  Potts,  (father  of  sd.  Thos.,)  in  Burlington,  ye  20th 
day  of  June,  1698,  before  Tho.  Revell,  Anthony  Elton,  Tho.  Bibb  jus- 
tices and  before  many  witnesses. 

1699.  Richard  ye  sonne  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Potts,  was  borne  on 
Sunday  ye  seventeenth  day  of  December,  Anno  1699,  about  the  8th 
hour  at  night. 

1697.  Deed  to  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  of  ye  county  of  Burlington,  from 
George  Porter,  dated  5th  March,  1697,  for  lands  situate  in  Mansfield 
township. — [See  Deed  BookB,  of  Deeds  (it  Trenton.'] 

1705-6.  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary,  his  wife,  of  Mans- 
field, Burlington  count}-,  grandson  of  Thomas  Potts,  late  of  Philadel- 
phia, tanner,  was  born  the  17th  of  loth  month, old  style.  Anno  Domi- 
ni, 1705-6. — [Records  of  Trenton  Potts.] 

1704-5.  Thomas  Potts  is  admitted  ffreeman  of  this  city,  paying  for 
his  ffreedome  twenty-two  shillings  and  sixpence,  which  he  paid  and 
had  his  ffreedome. — [Minutes  Com.  Council,  PhAla.  2d  Feb,  1704-5.] 

1709.  Margaret  Potts  married  Evan  Morgan,  Dec.  ye  i,  1709. — 
[Christ  Church  liecords.] 

1722.  Thomas  Potts'  land  in  Mansfield,  comprising  125  acres,  was 
surveyed  in  the  year  1722. — [Sunryor  General's  Office,  Burlington, N.J.] 

1724.  Thomas  Potts  of  Mansfisld,  purchased  land  in  that  township 
in  June,  1724,  and  sold  the  same  to  Nathaniel  Potts,  of  same  place,  for 
^200,  by  deed  of  i  January,  1754 — or  thirty  years  later. 

1730.  Thomas  Potts  and  Sarah  Beakes  were  married  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  people  called  Quakers,  published  at  Haddonfield  Meeting 
House,  in  Chester  township,  Burlington  count}',  on  the  29th  of  Sth 
month,  old  style,   1730. 

1738.  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah,  was  born  the  24th 
of  7th  month,   1738. — [Stacy  Potts'  Family  Record.] 

1743.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Southampton  township,  in  the  county  of 
Bucks,  by  deed  of  February  3d,  1743,  granted  unto  his  son,  Joshua 
Potts,  of  the  manor  of  Moreland,  county  of  Philadelphia,  yeoman,   a 


*  Note.    All  the  followinsc  memoranda,   except  three  items,   refer  to  the  de- 
scendauts  of  Thomas  Potts   (Shield).    See  Chapter  III. 


28o  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

messuage   and   lot   of   land   situate  in  Hatborough,    in  the  manor  of 
Moreland,  on  the  York  Road. 

1757.  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  Joshua  Potts,  of  the  manor  of  Moreland, 
county  of  Philadelphia,  was  the  first  named  in  his  father's  will,  dated 
in  1757,  and  registered  nth  of  August,  1761.  This  will  also  names  tes- 
tator's brothers,  Nathaniel  and  William  Potts,  and  his  wife  Ann  Potts. 
Ann  Potts,  widow  and  reli<Sl  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Joshua  Potts,  late  of 
the  manor  of  Moreland,  and  Joseph  Hart,  executors  of  the  said  Joshua, 
by  deed  dated  20th  of  May,  1762,  conveyed  196  acres  of  land  to  William 
Folwell.     Joshua  also  left  five  daughters. 

1753.  Thomas  Potts,  of  the  manor  of  INIoreland,  on  the  22d  June, 
1753,  purchased  from  Walter  Moore,  a  corn  and  grist  mill,  in  More- 
land,  and  two  tradls  of  land.    He  is  styled  in  this  deed  as  "millwright" 

1766.  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  of  Upper  Dublin 
township,  Philadelphia  count)',  is  named  in  his  father's  will,  dated 
and  proved  in  1766. 

1742.  Rebecca  Potts,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Potts,  of  Burlington  coun- 
ty, was  previously  the  wife  of  Joshua  Wright,  by  whom  she  had  six 
children,  who  were  living,  and  named  in  a  deed  executed  by  her  on 
March  5th,  1742.  She  was  one  of  the  six  children  of  IVIahlon  Stacy, 
Esquire,  deceased. — {_Sce  St ar.if  Potts'  Xntcs.l 

1744.  Thomas  Potts,  yeoman,  and  Rebecca,  his  wife,  and  Mahlon 
Kirkbride,  each  of  the  county  of  Bucks,  Province  of  Pennsylvania, 
executed  a  deed,  to  Amos  Janney,  dated  19th  September,  1744,  for 
lands  in  Morris  county.  New  Jersey. 

1745.  Thomas  Potts  and  Rebecca  his  wife,  of  the  county  of  Burling- 
ton, in  the  Western  Division  of  New  Jersey,  with  Mahlon  Kirkbride, 
of  Bucks  county.  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Amos  Janney,  of  the 
county  of  Fairfax,  in  Virginia,  and  others,  full  successors  to  the  estate 
of  Mahlon  Stacy,  late  of  Burlington  deceased — dated  in  1745,  and  ac- 
knowledged by  the  said  Thomas  and  Rebecca  his  wife.  May  i,  1745. 
before  John  Allen. 

1754.  Thomas  Potts,  (and  Rebecca  his  wife, )  of  Mansfield,  in  Bur- 
lington county,  in  a  deed  dated  January,  1754,  mentions  the  natural 
love  and  afife(5lion  he  bears  to  his  son  William  Potts,  yeoman. 

1 76 1.  Mortgage  by  Nathaniel  Potts,  of  the  township  of  Mansfield, 
yeoman,  and  Susanna,  his  wife,  to  William  Humphries,  of  Philadel- 
phia, to  secure  the  payment  of  ^400,  describing  lands  in  Lower  Dub- 
lin township,  Philadelphia  county.     He  died  in  June,  1761. 


Solution  of  the  Old  Potts  Puzzle.  281 

Below  is  priuted  a  list  of  the  several  T'nomas  Potts  in- 
cluded in  Mr.  Carr's  article,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  con- 
temporary'.    This  list  may  help  to  simplify  the  "  Puzzle." 

1  Thomas  Potts  {Shield),  baptized  July  12,  1647;  mar- 
ried, ist.  Joani :   2d,  Anne ;  3d,  Grace  Farmer  ; 

4th,  Alice  Pusser  ;  died  Sep.  4,  1726.     Residence,  Burling- 
ton, X.  J.,  and  Philadelphia.      [See  pages  124-133]. 

2  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  {^Mansfield),  son  of  the  forego- 
ing, baptized  Dec.  30,  1677;  married,  ist,  Mary  Records  ; 
2d,  Man.-  Borden  ;  3d,  Rebecca  Wright,  lue  Stacy  ;  died 
Feb.  2,  1754.  Residence  Burlington  County,  New  Jersey. 
[See  pages  134-145]. 

3  Thotnas  Potts,  Jtaiior,  (Taww^r),  son  of  the  last,  born 
Dec.  17,  1706  ;  married  Sarah  Beakes  ;  died  May  31,  1742. 
Residence  Burlington  County,  X.  J.      [See  pages  146-152]. 

4  Thojuus  Potts,  son  of  the  last,  born  1738  ;  died  1742. 
[Seepage  155]. 

5  Thomas  Potts,  {Miller'),  in  Pennsylvania  in  16S6  ;  mar- 
ried Judith  Smith;  died  17 19.  Residence  Bristol  Town- 
ship, Philadelphia  County.      [See  pages  201-213]. 

6  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  {Bristol),  son  of  the  last,  born 

about  1 71 3;  married  Susanna ;  died  1 751.     Residence 

Bristol  Township,  Philadelphia  County.     [See  pages  2 1 3-4] . 

7  Thotnas  Potts,  Junior,  {Colebrookdale) ,  bom  1680;  mar- 
ried, ist,  Martha  Keurlis  ;  2d,  Magdalen  Robeson  ;  died  in 
1752.  Residence  Germantown,  Philadelphia  and  Colebrook- 
dale.      [See  pages  234-242] . 

8  Thojnas  Potts,  son  of  the  last,  born  about  17 16  to  1720, 
married  Rebecca  Rutter  ;  died  1762.      [See  pages  244-5]. 

9  Thomas  Potts,  son  of  David  and  Alice,  bom  3  mo.  27, 
1695  ;  married  Rachel  James.      [See  Part  III]. 

ID     Thomas  Potts,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (McVaugh) 
Potts,  and  grandson  of  David  and  Alice,  born  about  172S  ; 
married  Elizabeth  Lukens  ;  died  1777.      [See  Part  III]. 
36 


282  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Kinship  of  the  Potts*  of  Pennsylvania. 


That  the  early  Potts  settlers  of  Pennsylvania  were  of  kin 
and  nearly  related  there  can  be  no  doubt.  They  not  only 
resided  near  together,  but  are  found  signing  marriage  cer- 
tificates together  after  the  manner  of  near  relatives,  and 
were  more  or  less  associated  in  business  transactions.  It 
is,  however,  quite  true  that  very  little  has  been  discovered, 
wherein  the  exadt  relationship  is  clearly  stated. 

The  late  Mr.  William  John  Potts,  who  made  much  origi- 
nal research  and  gave  the  subjedt  much  study,  long  ago  be- 
came convinced  that  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  Jonas  Potts 
and  David  Potts,  all  of  Philadelphia  County,  were  brothers, 
and,  if  so,  then  brothers  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  whose  or- 
phan children  were  sent  to  Pennsylvania  in  1698.  It  will 
be  the  purpose  of  this  Chapter  to  point  out  some  of  the 
evidences  of  kinship.  This  data  is  arranged  in  chronologi- 
cal order,  as  nearly  as  possible. 

In  1686,  Thomas  Potts  and  Jonas  Potts  sign  the  marriage 
certificate  of  John  Austin  and  Jane  Potts  immediately  after 
the  step-father  and  mother  of  the  bride,  and  just  before 
Elizabeth  Potts,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  sister  of 
the  bride.      [See  page  198]. 

1692.  David  Potts  was  bondsman  of  Elizabeth  (Potts) 
Bennett,  as  the  executrix  of  Edmund  Bennett,  her  late 
husband,      [See  page  1 96] . 

In  1693-4,  Thomas  Potts  and  Jonas  Potts  were  the  first 
subscribing  witnesses  to  the  marriage  certificate  of  David 


Kinship  of  the  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania.        2S3 

Potts  and  Alice  Croasdale.  This  raarrriage  was  accom- 
plished within  the  bounds  of  Middletown  Monthly  Meeting, 
some  twenty  miles  or  more  from  Bristol  Township,  Phila- 
delphia County.  If  Thomas  and  Jonas  were  not  near  kins- 
men, why  did  they  go  so  far  to  attend  this  wedding? 

1695.  David  Potts  was  a  subscribing  witness  to  a  deed 
made  b\-  Thomas  Potts.      [See  page  203] . 

1698.  Several  orphan  children  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales, 
were  sent  over  to  the  care  of  Friends  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
minutes  of  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting  show  that  Thom- 
as Potts,  (Miller),  was  their  uncle.  John  and  Mary  Potts, 
mentioned  in  Chapter  XI,  were  undoubtedly  two  of  these 
children. 

1699.  Jacob  Shoemaker,  in  a  deed,  calls  Thomas  Potts, 
(Miller),  his  brother-in-law.  As  Thomas  Potts,  seems  to 
have  then  been  a  single  man,  Jacob  Shoemaker's  wife  must 
have  been  Potts'  sister.      [See  foot-note  on  page  203] . 

1 701-2.  The  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meet- 
ing of  Friends  show  that  one  of  the  orphan  children,  a  daugh- 
ter, of  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  was  in  the  care  of  a  family, 
who  do  not  seem  to  have  been  of  Fjiends  faith.  An  effort 
was  made  to  have  her  placed  elsewhere,  which  was  unsuccess- 
ful. In  1709,  the  records  of  Christ  (P.  E.)  Church  show 
that  one  Margaret  Potts  married  Evan  Morgan.  This  is 
the  only  female  of  the  Pennsylvania  Potts' ,  up  to  this  time, 
who  was  not  married  according  to  the  custom  of  Friends. 
In  1 7 14,  Evan  and  Margaret  Morgan  conveyed  252  acres  of 
land,  by  deed,  to  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale). 
May  it  be  that  Margaret  was  one  of  the  orphan  children  ? 

1707-8.  Jonas  Potts  was  one  of  the  bondsmen  of  Jane 
(Potts)  Austin,  as  administratrix  of  John  Austin,  her  late 
husband. 

Some  of  David  Potts'  children,  as  also  Thomas  Roberts, 
had  business  transactions  with  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller). 
[See  pages  2 10-2 11]. 


284  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

1 7 19.  Some  of  the  children  of  David  Potts  attended  the 
marriage  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas  Potts,  at  Gilbert's 
Manor,  and  were  subscribing  witnesses  to  the  marriages 
certificates.      [See  pages  227-229]. 

1719.  Thomas  and  Jacob  Shoemaker,  sons  of  Jacob 
Shoemaker,  Sr. ,  were  subscribing  witnesses  to  the  marriage 
certificate  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas  Potts.  [See 
pages  227-229]. 

1719.  Samuel  and  Mary  Austin,  and  John  Channel,  the 
the  son,  daughter  and  son-in-law  (?)  of  John  and  Jane 
(Potts)  Austin,  were  subscribing  witnesses  to  the  marriage 
certificates  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas  Potts. 

1722.  Jonas  Potts  was  a  subscribing  witness  to  the  mar- 
riage certificate  of  Peter  Cleaver,  Jr.,  and  Elizabeth  Potts, 
daughter  of  David  Potts,  signing  next  to  the  bride' s  father 
and  before  her  brothers  and  sisters.  Thomas  and  Mary 
Roberts,  Matthias  aud  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson,  and  Judith 
Potts,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Potts,  (Miller),  were  also 
subscribing  witnesses  among  relatives. 

1729.  Thomas  Potts,  (Colebrookdale),  and  Magdalen, 
his  wife  ;  Thomas  and  John  Roberts,  sons  of  Thomas  and 
Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts,  were  subscribing  witnesses  to  the 
marriage  certificate  of  William  Hallowell  and  Margaret  Ty- 
son, daughter  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson.  [See 
page  254] . 

1730.  John  Channel,  son-in-law  (?)of  John  and  Jane 
(Potts)  Austin,  was  a  witness  to  the  will  of  David  Potts. 

1 731.  David  Potts,  son  of  Jonas,  through  an  advertise- 
ment in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette^  offers  a  reward  for  the 
rec^verv  of  a  stolen  horse,  and  diredls  that  potice  be  given 
to  Ja^eb  Shoemaker,  at  Philadelphia.  This  jfee^  Shoema- 
ker is  believed  to  have  been  a  .son  of  Jacob,  Sr. ,  and  proba- 
bly a  cousin  of  he  said  David  Potts.      [See  Chapter  XX] . 

1733.     Ezekiel  Potts,  son  of  David,  was  a  witness  to  the 


Kinship  of  the  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania.        2S5 

will  of  Jane  (Potts)  Austin.       The  testatrix  names  Jacob 
Shoemaker  as  one  of  her  executors.      [See  page  200] . 

1734.  Among  subscribing  witnesses  to  the  marriage  cer- 
tificate of  John  Potts,  son  of  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  (Cole- 
brookdale),  and  Ruth  Savage,  were  Thomas  and  John  Rob- 
erts, sons  of  Thomas  and  Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts  ;  and 
Reynier  and  John  Tyson,  sons  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts) 
Ty.son.      [See  page  243] . 

1739.  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  his  sons 
John,  Thomas  and  David  ;  and  Thomas  Roberts,  Jr.,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts ;  were  subscribing 
witnesses  to  the  marriage  certificate  of  Reynier  Tyson,  Jr. , 
.son  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson.     [See  page  254]. 

1749,  Judith  Sharp,  formerly  widow  of  Thomas  Potts, 
(Miller),  in  her  will,  names  Thomas  Roberts,  Jr.,  and  John 
Roberts,  sons  of  Thomas  and  Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts,  as 
joint  executors,  with  her  son  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.  [See  page 
213]- 

1753.  Several  members  of  the  Tyson  family  were  sub- 
scribing witnesses  to  the  marriage  certificate  of  Thomas 
Potts,  (sou  of  John  and  grandson  of  David),  and  Elizabeth 
Lukens. 

1754.  Isaac  Tyson,  son  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts) 
Tyson,  and  Esther  his  wife,  were  subscribing  witnesses  to 
the  marriage  certificate  of  Isaac  Shoemaker  and  Elizabeth 
Potts,  daughter  of  John  and  granddaughter  of  David  Potts. 

1755-  John  Potts,  probably  son  of  David  and  Alice,  was 
a  subscribing  witness  to  the  marriage  certificate  of  Matthew 
Tyson,  son  of  Matthias  and  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson,  of  Upper 
Dublin. 

It  is  especially  noteworthy  that  many  of  the  same  family 
names  are  so  frequently  repeated,  particularly  among  the  de- 
scendants of  David  Potts,  Jonas  Potts,  and  Thomas  Potts, 
Junior,  (Colebrookdale). 


286  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

A  stud}'  of  the  foregoing  fac5ls  seems  to  justify  the  follow- 
ing conclusions  :  That  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  Thomas  Potts, 
(Miller),  Jonas  Potts,  David  Potts,  Jane  (Potts)  Austin, 
Elizabeth  Potts,  (died  1690),  and  Margaret  (Potts)  Shoe- 
maker, were  brothers  and  sisters.  If  this  be  altogether  cor- 
redl,  then  they  were  children  of  Elizabeth  (Potts)  Bennett, 
by  her  former  husband. 

The  evidence  also  seems  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that 
Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale),  John  Potts,  (Ship- 
carpenter),  Eleanor  (Potts)  Roberts,  Mary  (Potts)  Tyson, 
and  Margaret  (Potts)  Morgan,  were  the  orphan  children 
of  John  Potts,  who  were  sent  over  from  Wales  in  1698. 

At  that  day,  it  was  a  custom  almost  universal  to  name 
the  first  born  son  for  his  paternal  grandfather.  Thomas 
Potts,  (Miller),  and  David  Potts,  each  named  his  first  born 
Thomas.  If  the  above  conclusions  are  correct,  then  the 
eldest  son  of  John  Potts,  of  Wales,  also  bore  the  name 
Thomas.  Perhaps  Thomas  Potts,  Junior,  (Colebrookdale), 
also  followed  the  same  custom  in  giving  to  his  eldest  son, 
the  name  John. 

The  Potts'  settlers  of  Pennsylvania  were  Friends,  and  all 
the  traditions  agree  that  they  came  to  Penn's  colony  from 
Wales.  John  Potts,  father  of  the  orphan  children,  was  un- 
doubtedly the  John  Potts,  of  Llangirrig,  the  persecuted 
Friend.  Thomas  Potts,  of  Llangirrig,  who  was  also  per- 
secuted, is  supposed  to  have  been  the  father  of  John. 

The  Potts',  of  Wales,  were  closely  associated  with  the 
Hamers,  Jarmans,  and  other  families.  In  Pennsylvania 
they  are  found  associating  with  the  same  families. 

The  Chart  facing  this  page  exhibits  a  pedigree  of  the  fam- 
ily, which,  while  not  absolutely  proven,  is  thought  to  be 
corredl  in  the  main,  and  is  such  as  accounts  for  the  numer- 
ous associations  of  the  different  members  of  the  family. 
Joan  Potts,  widow,  and  Rees  Potts,  were  also  evidently 
near  relatives,  but  their  kinship   s  not  clear. 


A  Pedigree  of  the  Potts  Family,  of  Llangirrig 


Thomas  Pott= 

Yeoman. 

Residence, 

Llangirrig, 

Montgomeryshire, 

Wales. 

Will  made, 

Aug.  12,  1654. 

Inventory  made, 

May  — .  i'658. 
Will  filed, 
Sep.  — ,  1661. 


-John  Pott=- 


■Annc  Pott=John  Pott- 
Will,  1672 


-A  daughter 


-Margaret  Pott 
-A  child 


■Eliz'h  Pott=Wil!iani  Bound- 
Will,   167S 


-Thomas  Pott=(?)  Elizabeth 
ni.  .second, 
Edmund  Bi 


-George  Pott 
■John  Pott,  d.  before  1672 
Margaret  Pott 
Alice  Pott 
Elizabeth  Pott 
Anne  Pott 
Sarah  Pott 

-Thomas  Bound 
-William  Bound 
-Joseph  Bound 
-Benjamin  Bound 
-Jeremy  Bound 
-Anne  Bound  =  David  Jones 
-Elizabeth  Bound 


NOTK.  In  the  study  of  this  Pedigree,  the  reader  is  espe- 
cially referred  to  "  The  Potts  of  Wales,"  pages  55  to  75,  and 
the  several  Chapters  treating  of  the  Potts'  of  Pennsylvania, 
see  pages  192  to  2S6.  The  dotted  lines  indicate  relationship 
that  is  not  fully  proven. 


A  P«iifT»e  of  the  Pom.  Family,  of  Ll.nKlrri,.  W.le..  .nd  of  Penn.ylvanu. 


■KvBa  roit- 


-Jolia  rtnt- 


TaoMAt  Mtt-  • 


Maat«aaerjr«hir«. 

WiUSMlfo. 

Aar  It.  i«S4- 
Majr-  1691 

vinfM. 

Sept  -.  Ml 


Aaa*  rMt~  loba  poll-i 
Will.  •«:» 


-A  fUHihlrr 


-Marnrrt  J\j« 
-A  child 


rwi-('»K' 


I 


-HHi  h  rtXI- William  Hnand- 

wm  !*:« 


-Joha  Pmi.  d   before  1671 

Marsarn  rolt 

AUc«  IMU 
•K1l««t>rth  INAI 
-Aanr  l^o^^ 

Aarah  Poit 

Thocaaa  Bound 

Uilllam  Hound 

j.M<(ih  Boaud 

Benjamin  Boua<l 
-Jcrrtny  Bound 
-Aane  Boaad  -Darld  Jonr« 

Kllaalwih  Round 


■lohn  Po«U 
Wrsrmtcd 
for  hia 
fallh 


•Tbotiwa  Potu  -  JodUh  Smith— 
(Miller)  m.  terond. 

''   'T'*  Thomaa  Sharp 


-Thoma.PotU    Martha  Ketirlu 

I- John  Potu    Rebecca  - 

■l-Mary  PotU-^  Matthias  Tyion 
-Marjtaret  PotU-Evan  Morgan 
-Kleanor  Potu^  Thomaa  Roberta 

—Thomaa  PotU^Suaanna 

l-Thoma«  Potu    Rachel  lame^ 

-!/tin   I'nft.      KIiF.l^tl,    vt-'  -      -», 


j»«v!.i  ro«t*    AlKcCroaadale 
d    1 7  JO 


-  joaaa  PMU-  Mary 


■'    Anne 

'-I  /r...r!  [-..tu- Magdalen  Miller 
I  1  '  Barbara  Vodges 

l-Nathan  Potu    Esther  Rhoads 


l-Darid  Pntt«=Klizaheth  Lane 

h  Burson 
lliam  Heald 


>>Mary  • 


-^  .'  ■.;■;     Arav 

l-Joua^  futU-Mary  Heckathom 


-Marg't  i^atu  -  Jacob  Shoemaker- 


John  Bncnwall 


-Jane  Polta    John  Auatin  - 
-Kllaabeth  Poits,  d.  1690 


-Samuel  Austi- 

-Ann  Austin 
-Klix'h  Austu: 
■Mary  Austin  — 


Pott»  -Jone 


Kee<  PD(I«     Klt»«»<eth 

t     l.vilia  KiiiK 

i    Chruaiua  KamlMi 


■l-Marjraret  Potts  -  Richard  Cox 
l-A  daughter 


n 


^^;^ 


Wales,  and  of  Pennsylvania. 


-John  Potts  =- 
Persecuted 
for  his 
faith 


■Thomas  Potts=Judith  Smith — 
(Miller)  in.   second, 

d.  1719  Thomas  Sharp 


-David  Potts=Alice  Croasdale- 
d.  1730 


■Jonas  Potts=Mary 


2=Mary 


:-Thomas  Potts=  Martha  Keurlis 

l-John  Potts= Rebecca 

-|-Mary  Potts=Matthias  Tyson 
i-Margaret  Potts=Evan  Morgan 
•-Eleanor  Potts=Thomas  Roberts 

— Thomas  Potts=Susanna 


-Thomas  Potts=Rachel  James 
-John  Potts  =  F,lizabeth  McVaugh 
-Daniel  Potts=Sarah  Shoemaker 
-Elizabeth  Potts=Peter  Cleaver 
-Jonathan  Potts=Sarah  Wood 
-Mary  Potts=^Jeremiah  McVaugh 

-Stephen  Potts=Anne 

-Rebecca  Potts 

■Ezekiel  Potts=  Magdalen  Miller 
2=Barbara  Vodges 
•Nathan  Potts=Esther  Rhoads 


-David  Potts=  Elizabeth  Lane 

2=Ann  R.  

-Rachel  Potts^  Joseph  Burson 
-Elizabeth  Potts^William  Heald 
-Hannah  Potts  (?) 

-Deborah  Potts 

-Jonathan  Potts=Amv 

-Jonas  Potts=Mary  Heckathorn 


l-(ieorge  .Shoemaker 
■Marg't  Potts^  Jacob  Shoemaker-  -Thomas  Shoemaker 
-Jacob  Shoemaker 
I -^John  Brienwall 


■Jane  Potts=^John  Austin 
■Elizabeth  Potts,  d.  1690 


■.Samuel  Austin=Marv  Jarman 

2=  Sarah  Stille 
-Ann  Austin=Thomas  Robbins 
-Eliz'h  Austin=John  (?)  Channel 
-Mary  Austin— Wood 


Potts  =Jone 


Rees  Potts    Elizabeth 

2=  Lydia  King 
3=Chri.stina  Rambo 


-Margaret  Potts= 
-A  daughter 


=  Richard  Cox 


.r 


David  Potts  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.     287 


CHAPTER  XX. 


David  Potts^  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 


I  DAVID  POTTS  was  born  about  the  year  1700,  as 
nearly  as  can  be  estimated.  He  was  without  doubt  the  son 
of  Jonas  and  Mary  Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, though  no  record  of  birth  has  been  found.  See 
Chapter  VIII.  All  the  traditions  and  statements  of  aged 
members  of  different  lines  of  the  family  point  to  that  con- 
clusion. These  allegations,  summed  up,  may  be  included 
in  the  following.  The  Potts  family  came  to  Penr.sjdvania 
from  Wales — some  allege,  with  William  Penn.  They  lived 
at  or  about  Pottsgrove,  where  their  ancestor  owned  a  plan- 
tation to  which  the  Virginia  descendants  were  heirs.*  One 
tradition,  in  a  collateral  line,  alleges  that  Jonah  or  Jonas 
Potts  came  to  Pennsjdvania  from  Wales.  Another  tradi- 
tion alleges  that  the  Potts'  were  driven  from  Wales  by  rea- 
son of  religious  oppression. 

The  first  notice  of  David  Potts  is  as  a  subscribing  witness 
to  the  marriage  certificates  of  the  two  daughters  of  Jonas 
Potts  in  i7iq.t  Tho.  Pt:7msylva?iia  Gazette,  of  Ma}^  27,  1731, 
contains  the  following  advertisement. 

Run  away  from  David  Potts,  a^  Socken  above  the  Great  Swamp,  % 

*  Note.  Jonas  Potts  owned  and  occupied  a  farm  in  Gilberts  Manor,  which  ad- 
joined Pottsgrove.  It  is  not  certain  that  he  ever  secured  a  full  title  to  this  land, 
and  no  deed  of  conveyance  from  him  or  his  legal  representatives  has  been  found. 
Such  a  tradition  might  easily  grow  from  such  a  foundation. 

t  See  pages  227  and  229,  ante. 

X  Note.  The  (^reat  Swamp  was  a  marshy  tracft  of  land  in  the  upper  end  of 
Bucks  County,  including  the  village  of  Quakertown.  Saucon  is  the  name  of  a 
creek  emptying  from  the  south-we.st  into  the  Lehigh  River,  a  few  miles  below 
Bethlehem.  Before  the  year  1730,  some  Philadelphia  speculators  bought  up  large 
tracts  of  the  rich  lauds  in  the  Saucon  valley  and  sold  it  out  in  smaller  parcels.  It 
seems  quite  likely  that  David  Potts  was  then  living  in  the  Saucon  valley,  within 
limits  of  either  the  present  Lehigh  or  Northampton  County. 


288  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

a  Servant  Boy  named  John  Williams,  about  seventeen  Years  of  Age,  of 
swarthy  complexion,  has  black  Hair,  and  two  Molds  on  his  Forehead. 
Had  on  a  brown  linsey-woolsey  Jacket,  Leather  Breeches,  a  pair  of 
Shoe  packs,  and  Stockings  footed  White.  He  is  supposed  to  have 
with  him  a  Big  Bay  Horse,  with  a  vSwitch  Tail,  and  a  Star  in  his 
Forehead,  a  half  crop  and  a  half  penny  in  the  Ear,  and  branded  on  the 
near  Shoulder  I  P  with  a  Dagger,  over  it.  Whoever  secures  him  and 
gives  notice  to  George  vShoemaker,  Innkeeper,  in  Philadelphia,  so 
that  his  Master  may  have  him  again,  shall  have  Forty  Shillings  Re- 
ward, and  Reasonable  Charges  paid,  by  David  Potts. 

The  brand  I  P  may  have  been  the  initials  of  Jona.s  Potts, 
who  probably  contributed  to  his  son's  start  in  life. 

David  Potts  removed  to  Virginia,  but  at  what  time  is  not 
clear.  One  person  gav^e  the  date  as  1735.  In  1881,  Eliza 
(Potts)  Neer,  then  above  80  3'ears  of  age,  said  that  David 
Potts,  her  great  grandfather,  on  coming  to  Virginia,  first 
settled  in  Jefferson  County,  where  Cabletown  now  stands, 
and  that  his  first  wife  died  there.  If  this  statement  be  true, 
then  it  is  probable  that  the  date  named  is  substantially  cor- 
recl:.  It  is  however  quite  certain  that  he  was  in  Fairfax 
County  in  1746,  when  he  leased  a  tra(ft  of  land  from  Cates- 
by  Cocke,  for  five  shillings  in  hand  paid,  with  power  to 
purchase.  The  lease  was  dated,  November  16,  1746,  and 
covered  a  tra(5t  of  866  acres  on  Kittockton  Run,  in  Fairfax 
County.  The  annual  rental  was  one  ear  of  Indian  corn. 
Subsequently  Catesby  Cocke  and  Mary,  his  wife,  conveyed 
the  same  by  deed  to  David  Potts,  who  is  therein  described 
as  yeoman.* 

On  June  9,  1747,  David  Potts  leased  for  one  year,  333 
acres,  part  of  this  same  trac5l,  to  William  Williams,  at  an 
annual  rental  of  one  ear  of  Indian  corn.  Subsequently  Da- 
vid Potts,  and  Ann  R.,  his  wife,  sold  the  same  to  Williams. 

On  the  .same  date,  June  9th,  David  Potts  leased  to  John 
Osburn,  200  acres  of  this  trsuSi,  and  later  David  Potts  and 
Ann  R.,   his  wife,  conveyed  it  to  the  said  Osburn,  by  deed. 

*  Note.  These  abstracts  have  l>eeu  taken  from  the  I^aiid  Office  records  of  Fair- 
fax County,  Virginia. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       2S9 

On  July  16,  1753,  Peter  Lewis,  yeoman,  of  Fairfax  Coun- 
ty, conveyed  to  David  Potts,  one  hundred  acres  of  land  on 
Kittockton  Run. 

In  1755,  Loudoun  County  was  formed  from  the  northern 
part  of  Fairfax  Count5%  and  David  Potts'  land  was  included 
in  the  new  County.  The  land  of  David  Potts  was  located 
l^etween  the  Short  Hill  and  the  Blue  Ridg-e  Mountain,  in  a 
valley  known  as  Between-the-IIills. 

Loudoun  County  land  records  show  the  following  addi- 
tional conveyances  of  land,  in  which  David  Potts  was  con- 
cerned. Liber  A,  folio  106.  Catesby  Cocke,  of  Fairfax 
County,  sold  to  David  Potts,  540  acres  of  land  situated,  for- 
merly in  Prince  William,  now  Loudoun  County.  It  is  de- 
scribed as  being  north  west  of  Short  Hill,  and  on  the  south 
run  of  the  north  branch  of  Kittockton. 

Liber  A,  folio  2 g^.  On  May  8,  1759,  David  Potts  sold 
and  conveyed  to  "Jonas  Potts,  Smith,  his  half-brother," 
270  acres,  one  half  of  a  tradl  of  land,  formed}'  granted  by 
Catesby  Cocke  to  the  said  David  Potts.  In  describing  the 
boundar}',  mention  is  made  of  "  the  corner  of  Samuel  Potts' 
land,"   and  of  "  line  of  another  Jonas  Potts." 

Liber  A,  folio  ^28.  On  April  8,  1760,  Joshua  Gove  and 
Elizabeth,  his  wife,  sold  and  conveyed  to  David  Potts,  310 
acres  of  land  on  the  head  branches  of  Pinej'  Run  and  on  the 
west  side  of  Short  Hill, 

David  Potts  was  brought  up  under  the  influence  of  the 
religious  teaching  of  Friends,  though  it  is  not  certain  that 
he  was  recognized  as  a  member  in  Pennsylvania.  The  first 
settlement  of  Friends  in  Virginia,  dates  from  about  1731  or 
1732,  when  Alexander  Ross  secured  a  grant  of  100,000  acres 
of  land  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  with  the  intention  of 
making  a  Friends'  settlement  there.  Many  Friends  did  re- 
move to  that  valley,  especially  from  Nottingham  Meeting, 
in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania.  This  settlement  was  or- 
37 


290  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ganized  into  Hopewell  Monthly  Meetino^  in  1735.  Many 
Friends  from  Pennsylvania  also  settled  within  the  limits  of 
the  present  Loudoun  County,  and  Fairfax  Monthly  Meet- 
ing in  Virginia  was  established  5  mo.  31,  1745,  although 
meetings  for  worship  had  been  held  there  previous  to  this 
date,  under  the  care  of  Concord  Monthly  Meeting,  of  Ches- 
ter County,  Pennsylvania.  David  Potts  was  taken  under 
the  care  of  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  on  10  mo.  31,  1748, 
as  shown  by  the  following  minute  of  that  date. 

David  Potts  having  been  for  a  considerable  time  under  the  care  and 
notice  of  Friends,  now  requests  to  be  received  as  a  member  in  unity, 
and  nothing  appearing  to  obstrudl,  his  request  was  granted. 

At  the  same  meeting  his  sons  Jonas  and  Jonathan  Potts 
were  also  received  into  membership,  and  his  daughter  Ann 
Potts  appeared  in  a  declaration  of  intended  marriage  with 
John  Vestal.  As  David's  other  children  were  afterwards 
recognized  as  members  of  the  meeting,  it  is  probable  that 
his  own  acceptance  carried  with  it  that  of  his  minor  children. 

On  12  mo.  24,  1749-50,  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting,  issued 
a  certificate  addressed  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends 
held  at  Chesterfield  in  West  Jersey,  commending  the  ac- 
ceptable service  of  Joshua  Greeve,  while  sojotiruing  with 
them.  Among  the  signers  was  David  Potts,  whose  signa- 
ture is  here  fairly  represented. 


Meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  David  Potts  for  sever- 
al years,  it  being  commonly  known  as  Potts'  Meeting.  The 
Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  of  8  mo.  30,  1755,  has  this  entry. 

The  Friends  Hving  above  Short  Hill  Ridge  have  a  meeting  kept  at 
David  Potts'  House,  this  meeting  thinks  it  reasonable,  and  allows 
them  to  hold  meeting  on  every  first  and  third  First-Day  in  every 
month  till  further  orders. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       291 

On  9  mo.  30.  1758,  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting  appointed 
Joseph  Burson,*  Overseer  at  Potts'  Particular  Meeting  until 
further  orders.  He  was  released  as  Overseer  in  1762.  It 
does  not  appear  when  this  Meeting  was  discontinued. 

David  Potts  was  twice  married.  He  first  married  Eliza- 
beth Lane,  probablj-  in  Pennsylvania,  She  was,  evidently, 
a  daughter  of  Edward  Lane,  of  Perkioman.f  She  is  said  to 
have  been  a  woman  of  fair  complexion,  and  was  familiarly 
known  as  "  Betty."  His  second  wife  was  Ann  R.,  whose 
maiden  name  lias  not  come  to  notice.  She  was  a  woman  of 
dark  complexion,  and  was  familiarly  known  as  "  Nanc)-." 

David  Potts  erecfted  a  grist  and  saw  mill  on  his  land  not 
far  from  his  residence,  which  was  largel}'  patronized.  A 
mill  still  stands  on  the  same  site.  These  lands  have  con- 
tinued in  the  possession  of  his  descendants  down  to  the 
present  time.  A  portion  of  ground  was  set  apart  for  a 
gravej'ard  in  which  many  of  the  family  lie  buried.  David 
Potts  died  about  May  i,  1768,  and  was  doubtless  buried  in 
the  family  graveyard,  though  no  tombstone  can  now  be 
found.  His  will  was  made  4  mo.  25,  1768,  and  proven 
May  9,  following.      Below  is  a  copy. 

The  Will  of  David  PoUs,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 

I,  David  Potts,  of  the  County  of  Loudon,  in  the  Colon}'  of  Virginia, 
Farmer,  being  weak  of  Body  but  of  Perfecl  mind  and  Memory,  thanks 
be  given  unto  God  for  the  same,  and  calling  to  mind  the  Mortality  of 
my  Body  and  that  it  is  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die;  I  there- 
fore recommend  my  Soul  to  him  who  gave  it,  and  do  ordai  n  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament  in  manner  and  form  as  foUoweth. 


*  Note.  Joseph  Bursou  married  Rachel  Potts,  a  daughter  of  Jonas  Potts,  iu  1719. 
See  page  227,  ante. 

t  The  Lane  Family.  Edward  Lane,  son  of  William  Lane  of  Bristol,  England, 
was  a  landholder  and  resident  of  Perkiomen,  [now  in  Montgomery  County-].  He 
married  Ann  Richardson,  and  died  iu  1710,  leaving  a  widow,  and  the  following 
children,  1  James,  2  William,  ,^  Samuel.  4  Elizabeth.  5  Christian,  [or  Christiana], 
6  EUinor.  7  Ann.  Perkiomen  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Gilberts  Manor,  and 
the  Lanes  and  Jonas  Potts  family  did  not  live  far  apart.  There  was  no  other  Lane 
family  in  the  neighborhood.  Among  the  descendants  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
(Lane)  Potts  are  found  such  names  as  Edward,  Christian,  etc.,  evidently  intro- 
duced from  the  Lane  family,  as  they  are  not  found  in  the  Potts  family  prior  to 
this  marriage. 


292  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

1  Imprimis,  I  will  that  all  my  Just  Debts  and  Funeral  Charges  be 
paid  and  discharged  by  my  Executors  hereafter  named. 

2  Item,  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  two  Sons  Ezekiel  and  Na- 
than Potts  two  hunch-ed  and  seventy  three  acres  of  Land,  it  bsing  the 
plantation  where  I  now  Live,  to  them  and  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  for- 
ever, to  be  equally  divided  between  them. 

3  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  loving  Wife,  Ann  Potts,  my 
half  of  the  Mill  as  long  as  she  remains  my  Widow,  and  after  her 
clrnnge,  either  by  Marriage  or  death,  that  part  of  the  Mill  to  become 
the  property  of  the  above  said  Ezekiel  and  Nathan  Potts,  and  they 
two  shall  find  the  Wood  for  their  Mother  and  Sowe  an  acre  of  Flax  and 
an  Acre  of  Oats  for  her  each  Year  during  her  Widowhood,  likewise  I 
Bequeath  to  my  Wife  a  B;d  and  Furnit  ure,  also  two  Cows  and  my 
young  Roan  Mare  &  my  Desk  and  Oval  Table,  likewise  six  pewter 
Dishes,  six  plates,  six  Basons  or  Cups,  six  Knives  and  Forks,  six 
Spoons,  likewise  my  Negro  Lad  during  her  Widowhood. 

4  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  to  mj'  sou  Jonas  Potts  one  half  of  the 
Mill,  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  likewise  one  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  of  Land  whereon  he  now  lives,  to  him  his  Heirs  and  As- 
signs forever ;  but  when  he  divides  his  land  w*^  F^zekiel  and  Nathan 
he  shall  not  debar  them  from  having  the  fences  which  I  now  claim. 

5  Item,  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  son  Samuel  Potts  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  five  acres  of  Land,  it  being  the  Plantation  where  he 
now  lives,  to  him  his  H  eirs  and  Assigns  forever,  likewise  my  negro 
Lad  after  my  Wife  either  Marrys  or  Deceases,  and  if  the  Negro  shall 
survive  her  so  as  to  come  into  the  Hands  of  son  Samuel,  then  he  shall 
pay  fifteen  pounds  to  my  Grand  Daughter  Christian  Pearson  and  Ten 
Pound  to  be  distributed  among  all  my  Daughters. 

6  Item,  I  give  the  Plantation  which  I  formerly  Gave  to  my  son 
Jonathan  Potts,  I  now  do  hereby  Grant  &  Convey  the  same  unto  my 
Son  Jonas  Potts,  his  Heirs  &  Assigns  forever,  it  being  Situate  at  the 
Gap  of  the  Short  Hill,  containing  one  hundred  and  fift}-  five  acres 
more  or  less,  it  being  since  purchased  of  Jonathan  by  Jonas. 

7  Item,  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Son  David  Potts  three  hun- 
dred and  ten  acres,  it  being  the  plantation  where  he  now  lives,  be  the 
same  more  or  less,  to  him  his  Heirs  &  Assigns  forever. 

8  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Mary  Bagus  [Back- 
house] the  Sorrel  Mare,  One  Cow,  a  Saddle  worth  three  pounds  ten 
shillings,  and  a  Bed  and  Furniture,  to  be  valued  at  seven  pounds  ten 
Shillings,  two  large  pewter  Dishes,  and  one  small  one,  six  plates,  six 
Cups,  and  six  Spoons,  and  six  Knives  &  forks. 

9  Item,  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Rachel  Potts  a 
Horse  worth  ten  pound,  a  Saddle  worth  three  pound  ten  Shillings, 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       293 

two  Cows,  two  large  pewter  Dashes  and  03ie  small  one,  six  plates,  six 
Cups,  six  Spoons,  six  Knives  and  forks,  a  Bed  Furniture  to  be  vahied 
at  seven  pound  ten  Shillings. 

10  Iteai,  I  give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  daughter  Susanh  Potts  a 
portion  in  every  particular  like  unto  my  Daughter  Rachel. 

11  Item,  I  give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  son  Jonathan  Potts  forty 
four  acres  of  Land  in  Frederick  County  near  Warm  Spring  and  known 
by  the  name  of  Biles  Cabbin,  and  also  fifty  Acres  Joining  to,  I  do 
hereby  grant  unto  him  his  Heirs  &  Assigns  forever,  for  which  Jona- 
than must  pay  to  Ezekiel  and  Nathan  forty  pounds  Current  Money  of 
Virginia,  and  if  the  Tenant  that  now  lives  on  the  said,  will  not  go  off 
he  must  not  be  hurt,  provided  he  pays  ten  pound  Current  Money  pr, 
annum. 

12  Also,  I  nominate.  Constitute  and  Appoint  my  Loving  Sons, 
Samuel  and  David  Potts  to  be  m}'  whole  and  Sole  Executors  of  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament,  and  I  do  hereb3'  Revoke  and  Disannull  and 
utterly  make  void  all  former  Wills  by  me  at  any  time  made,  Ratify- 
ing and  Confirming  this  and  no  other  to  be  m^-  last  Will  and  Testa- 
ment. 

In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  put  my  hand  and  Seal,  this 
25th  day  of  the  4tli  Month  A.  Domini  176S. 

His 

David  [Davdd  Potts]  Potts.   (t.S. ) 
mark. 

Sealed,  pronounced  and  published  in  the  presence  of 
Jenkin  David.     Thomas  Llewellin.     Williani  Dillon. 

This  will  was  proven  and  recorded  May  9,  1768.  John 
Osburn  and  William  Dillon  were  the  Executors'  bondsmen, 
who  were  held  in  the  sum  of  ^1000.  Anne  Potts,  (widow), 
of  the  Parish  of  Cameron,  County  of  Loudoun,  was  still  liv- 
ing on  Ma}'  13,  1 77 1,  when  she  executed  a  deed  of  gift  to 
her  son  Samuel  Potts,   for  "a  negro  Lad,  named  Austin." 

Though  the  family  were  of  the  peaceful  Society  of  Friends, 
some  of  them  were  given  to  settling  disputes  in  a  worldly, 
and  sometimes  in  a  summary  manner.  Some  went  so  far 
as  to  join  militar)^  companies,  and  to  engage  in  light  amuse- 
ments, contrary  to  the  teaching  and  pracftice  of  the  Society. 
For  these  "outgoings"  they  sometimes  made  acceptable 
acknowledgments.  At  present  all  or  nearly  all  are  adhe- 
rents of  other  religious  denominations.     The  family  attained 


■■^^     ^" 


294  The  Poinds  Family  in  America. 

to  considerable  wealth  and  high  social  position  in  northern 
\'irginia.  They  were,  however,  greatly  impoverished  by 
the  ravages  of  the  Civil  War. 


Childrkn  ok  David  and  EuzABiiTH  (Lank)  Potts. 

2  Jonas  Potts,  b.  1726;  d.  176S;  in.  Mary  Stroud,   1752. 

3  Jonathan  Potts,   b.  ;  d. ;  m.  Elizabeth ,  1754. 

4  Ann  Potts,  b. ;  d.  ;  ni.  John  Vestal,    1748. 

5  Mary  Potts,   b.  ;  d.  ;  ni.  Backhouse. 

6  Christian  Potts,  b.  ;  d. ;  m.  Samuel  Pearson,   1757. 

Children  of  David  .\nd  .A^nn  R.  ( )  Potts. 

7  Samuel  Potts,    d.  1801;   m.  ist, 2J,  Elizabeth  Thomas. 

S     David  Potts,   b.  1738;  d.  1S09;   m.    ist,  Mar}-  Thomas;    2d,  Tem- 
perance Heath. 

9     Ezekiel  Potts,  b.  1743;  d.  1809;   m.  Elizabeth  Mead,   1769. 

10  Nathan  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1809;  m.  ist,  Ruth  Clews,    2d,  Eunice 

Waller. 

11  Jana  Potts,  b.  1746;  d.  17SS;  m.  Jonathan  Conard,  *  1764. 

12  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  John  Conai'd.^'     Children,   i  .\nthony,  2  Na- 

than, 3  Samuel,  4  Jonathan,  5  Joseph,  6  John,  7  Eliz^abeth,  S 
Sarah,  9  Nannie. 

13  Rachel  Potts,   m.  .-\dani  Svvink.     Children,   i  David,   2  John.     It 

is  probable  that  she  married,  second,  Osburn,   and  had 

children,  3  Thomas,  4  Stephen,   5  Nancy,  6  Massa. 

14  Susannah  Potts,  m.  Henry  Near,   1774.      Children,   i  John,  and 

perhaps  others. 


*  TfrK  CoN'ARn  Family.      Thones  Kuiiders  was  one  of  the  thirteen  heads  of 
families  from  Crefeld,  Germany,  who  founded  (ierniantown  in  1683.      His  wife's 
name  was  KHzabeth.  supposed  to  have  been  a  sister  of  William  Streypers.  another 
of  the  original  settlers.     Kiniders  died  in  17^9,  leaving  .seven  children,  to  wit : 
I     Cnnraed  Cutiraeds,  b.  5  mo.  17,  167S;  d.  1747;  m.  ist.  .Ann  Klinken.  170a:  m.  2d' 
,41111  Iturson.      Children,    .\nthonv.    Henry,   James,  John,  Joseph,  Dennis- 
3     MaiTtTs  Condcrs,  b.  11  mo.  25,  1679;  d.  17:6;  ni.  Harbara  Tyson,  1706.     Children- 
Anthony,  Margaret,  Cornelius,  Magdalen,  William,  John,  Matthias, 

3  John  Cunrads,  b.  6  mo,  .;,  168!;  d.  1765:  m.  1st.  .\lice  I.ukens,  i7'j6;  m.  2d,  Eliz- 

abeth Denis.     Cliildren,  Henry,  Dennis.  Mary,   Magdalen.  Sarah,  . 

4  Ann  Cunrad.  b.  5  mo.  4.  1684:  m."  Leonard  Streypers.  7  mo.  26,  1715. 

5  Agnes  Cunrad,  b.  9  mo.  28,  16S6;  m.  Samuel  Powell,   lo  mo.  26,  1709. 

6  Henrv  Cunreds,  b.  121110.  16.  16SS:  d.  1758:  m.  Katharine  Streypers.  6  mo.  1710. 

Children,  William,  Dennis,  John,  I'eter,  Joseph,  Benjamin,  Samuel. 

7  lilizabeth  Cunrad,  b.  2  mo.  2S.  1691;  m.  Griffith  Jones,   11  mo.  30,  1709. 
Anthony  Coiiard,  son  of  Cnnrcad  Cunreads,  married  Sarah  Hatfield.     Their. s<ins 

Jonathanand  John  settled  in  Loudoun  Cuunty,   Virginia,  and  married  daughters 
of  David  I'otts. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       295 

2  Jonas  Potts,^  (David,'),  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
(Lane)  Potts,  was  born  about  1726,  probably  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Virginia.  To  distin- 
guish him  from  his  uncle  Jonas  Potts,  who  lived  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  he  was  sometimes  called  Jonas  Potts, 
Junior,  and  at  others,  Jonas  Potts,  Farmer. 

On  10  mo,  31,  174S,  he  was  received  into  the  member- 
ship of  Friends,  by  Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting.  On  2  mo.  29, 
1752,  he  applied  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  a  certificate  of 
clearness,  in  order  that  he  might  proceed  in  marriage  with 
Mary  Stroud,  a  member  of  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting, 
which  was  in  due  time  granted  and  the  marriage  regulai'ly 
consumated. 

His  father  seems  to  have  settled  him  upon  a  farm  of  150 
acres,  and  given  him  a  one  half  interest  in  the  grist  mill. 
In  1761  he  purchased  122  acres  on  the  north  fork  of  Kit- 
tockton  from  his  uncle  Jonas  Potts,  and  in  1 763  he  sold  50 
acres,  part  of  this  tradt,  to  Thomas  Bryant.  In  1764,  he 
purchased  from  Thomas  Wilson  and  Margaret,  his  wife,  260 
acres  on  the  south  fork  of  Kittockton. 

He  died  August  15,  176^  at  the  age  of  forty  two  years, 
and  was  buried  in  the  Potts  graveyard.  His  tombstone 
bears  the  earliest  inscription  in  the  3^ard.  The  monument 
is  a  rough  Blue  Ridge  stone,  and  the  lettering  is  somewhat 
crudely  and  quaintly  cut.  A  copy  of  the  inscription  is  giv- 
ed  below.  The  first  line  is  curved  upward  in  the  form  of 
an  arc  of  a  circle.  Immediatelj^  below  this  curved  line,  are 
cut  three  inverted  hearts,  in  positions  indicated  by  the  three 
asterisks. 

J  P  AGED  42  YEARS 


Here  Lies  the  Bodv 

OF  Jonas  Potts  WH 

O  DEPARTED  THIS  LI 

FE  YE  15  OF  AUGUST  IN  YB 

YEAR  1768. 


296  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

His  will  bears  date  of  July  31,  1768,  and  was  filed  and 
proven  September  12,  following.  He  mentions  "my  fath- 
er David  Potts,  late  deceased,"  and  appoints  "my  two 
brothers-in-law,  John  Vestal  and  Samuel  Person,  [Pearson] , 
both  of  P'rederick  Countj',"  as  his  executors.  He  mentions 
his  wife  and  each  of  his  children  b}'  name,  and  makes  pro- 
vision for  them  in  the  distribution  of  his  estate.  John  Ves- 
tal took  out  letters  testamentary,  with  Israel  Thompson  and 
Francis  Hague  as  bondsmen  in  the  sum  of  ^1000.  The  in- 
ventory of  his  personality  covers  four  folio  pages. 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Mary  (Stroud)  Pom's. 

15  David  Potts.     In  1776,  he  joined  a  niiUtary  Company  and  was 

disowned  Vjy  Friends.     No  further  account. 

16  Samuel  Potts.     No  further  account. 

17  Jonas  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  Feb.  i,  1829;  m.  Phebe  Brown. 

iS     Edward  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1S46;  m.  Mary  Backhouse. 

19  Jolm  Potts. 

20  Hannah  Potts,    b.   - — ;  d.  Nov.  15,  1S2S;  m.  ist,  William  Ves- 

tal, 2d Hall 

21  Elizabeth  Potts,  m. Osburn.      Children,    1  Jonathan,   2 

Uriah,  3  Margaret,  4  Hannah,  5 . 


3  Jonathan  Potts, ^  (David,'),  son  of  David  and  Eliza- 
bath  (Lane)  Potts,  was  probably  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Virginia.  He  was  received  in- 
to membership  with  Fr  ends,  on  10  mo.  31,  1748,  by  P'airfax 
Monthly  Meeting.       In  1754,  he  was  married  by  a  minister 

of  some  other  religious  denomination,   to  Elizabeth . 

For  this  breach  of  discipline  he  made  acknowledgment,  as 
shown  by  the  following  minute  by  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
under  date  of  6  mo,  29,  1754. 

Jonathan  Potts  having  been  joined  in  marriage  by  a  priest  contrary 
to  the  good  order  observed  among  Friends,  and  voluntary  offered  a 
paper  from  under  his  hand,  for  the  Clearing  of  Truth  which  was  read 
here,  and  appointed  to  be  read  at  the  Close  of  some  Meeting  for 
Worshij). 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       297 

At  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Monoqiiesey,  on 
7  mo.  27,  1754,  it  was  recorded  that  "Jonathan  Potts'  pa- 
per of  condemnation  was  read  according  to  the  appointment 
of  the  last  Monthly  Meeting."  This  seems  to  be  the  last 
mention  of  him  in  the  Friends  minutes. 

It  seems  that  his  father  gave  him  a  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  near  the  Short  Hill,  which  he  subsequently 
sold  to  his  brother  Jonas  Potts,  and  his  father  confirmed  the 
conveyance  by  his  will.  His  father,  by  his  will,  devised  to 
him  two  tra(5ts  of  land  in  Frederick  County, — one  of  forty 
and  the  other  of  fifty  acres. 

In  1 79 1,  Denny  Martin  Fairfax,  of  Leeds  Castle,  England, 
leased  to  Jonathan  Potts,  of  Frederick  County,  Virginia, 
100  acres  of  land,  part  of  the  Manor  of  Leeds,  during  the 
lives  of  the  said  Jonathan  Potts,  Elizabeth  his  wife,  and 
Joshua  his  son.  Nathan  Potts  was  a  witness.  Beyond  the 
fact  that  there  was  a  son  Joshua,  no  further  information 
has  come  to  notice. 

Two  very  old  rough  stones  mark  two  graves,  side  by  side, 
in  the  Potts  graveyard,  in  Loudoun  County,  bearing  simpl)' 
the  initials  I.  P.  and  E.  P.  They  are  quite  near  the  grave 
of  Jotias  Potts,  (2),  and  may  possibly  mark  the  last  resting 
place  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth. 

Chii^d  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  ( )  Potts. 

22    Joshua  Potts.     He  is  supposed  to  have  left  descendants  in  Fred- 
erick County,  Virginia. 


7     Samuel  Potts,'  (David,*),  son  of  David  and  Ann  R. 

( )  Potts,  was  probably  the  eldest  by  this  marriage. 

He  was  twice  married.  First,  in  1757,  when  he  married  out 
of  meeting,  and  because  he  refused  to  confess  the  error  of 
outgoing,  he  w^as  disowned  by  Friends.  The  name  of  his 
first  wife  has  not  been  given.  He  married,  second,  Eliza- 
beth Thomas. 
38 


298  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

In  1759.  in  the  description  of  the  boundaries  of  the  land 
sold  by  David  Potts  to  his  half  brother,  Jonas  Potts,  men- 
tion is  made  of  "the  corner  of  Samuel  Potts'  land."  It 
would  appear  that  David  Potts  had  given  his  son  Samuel  a 
farm  and  confirmed  the  gift  by  his  will.  In  1771,  Ann  R. 
Potts,  executed  a  deed  of  gift,  to  her  son  Samuel,  for  a 
"  negro  Lad  named  Austin."  Samuel  Potts  is  described  as 
a  man  who  did  not  worry  over  trifles.  His  residence  was  a 
one  story  log  cabin.  On  one  occasion  it  took  fire,  and  the 
the  negro,  Austin,  carried  a  churn  full  of  water  from  the 
spring  and  mounted  with  it  to  the  roof.  By  some  mishap 
the  negro  fell  to  the  ground  and  was  drenched  with  the  wa- 
ter intended  for  the  fire.  This  misadventure  to  the  negro 
.so  amused  the  master,  that  he  lay  down  upon  the  grass  and 
laughed  long  and  loud  while  his  house  burned  to  ashes. 

He  died  in  1801.  His  will  is  dated  Nov.  20,  1801,  and 
w'as  proven  on  September  14,  following.  He  bequeathed 
all  his  estate,  both  real  and  personal  to  his  "  Loving  wife 
Elizabeth."  The  witnesses  to  the  will  were  Nathan  Potts, 
William  vSmith  and  Jane  Potts. 

Children  of  SamueTv  and ( )  Potts. 

23  Thomas  Potts.     Said  to  have  gone  to  Kentucky. 

24  Tamar  Potts,     in.  John  Ingram,  and  had  a  son  John. 

Children  of  S.a.muei,  and  Elizabeth  (Thom.\s)  Potts. 

25  Stephen  Potts.     Said  to  have  gone  to  Kentucky. 

26  Margaret  Polls,  b.  1788;  m.  Hugh  Thompson.    Children,  i  Eliz- 

abeth,  2  vSamuel  Potts,  3  Hugh  Stephen. 

27  Nathan  Potts,  b,  Jul}- 26,  1794;  d.  unmarried. 

28  Ruth  Potts,  b.  July  26,  1794;  d.  August  23,  iSSo;  unmarried. 

29  Elizabeth  Potts,  died  unmarried. 


8     David  Potts,^  (David,'),  son  of  David  and  Ann  R. 

( )  Potts,   was  born  April  11,  173S.     He  was  originally 

a  Priend,  but  his  membership  seems  to  have  been  severed 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,       299 

in  1764.  He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Mar\-  Thomas, 
Avho  died  October  iS,  1796.  He  married,  second,  Temper- 
ance Heith.  His  father,  b}'  his  will,  left  him  a  plantation 
of  310  acres,  and  named  him  as  one  of  his  executors. 

He  died  Odlober  17,  1S09.  The  inventor}'  of  his  effects 
%vas  filed  July  9,  iSio.  In  the  division  of  his  estate  his 
■widow  and  children  John,  Joseph  Lewis  and  Mahala,  only 
are  mentioned.     Perhaps  the  other  children  died  young. 

Children  of  David  axd  Marv  (Thomas)  Potts. 

30  David  PotLs. 

31  Jonas  Potts. 

32  William  Potts. 

33  John  Potts,  b.  March  6,  1769;  d.  Nov.  16,  182S;  m.  Mary  Vestal. 

Children  of  D.wid  axd  Temper.\xce  (Heith)  Potts. 

34  Joseph  Lewis  Potts,  b.  January  31,  1S08. 

35  Mahala  I.  Potts,   b.  Jan\^an.-  31,  1S08;  d.  Apr.  15,  1839;  ^-  Jacob 

G.  Paxson,  1824.     Children,    i   Jane  E.,    2  David  W.,   3  Mary 
E.,  4  Charles  L,.  A. 


9     Esekiel  Potts, ^  (David,'),  son  of  David  and  Ann  R. 

( ;  Potts,  was  born  January-  8,  1743.      B\-  the  will  of 

his  father,  he  inherited  an  undivided  half  interest  in  the 
homestead  farm  and  mill.  He  married  Elizabeth  Mead,  in 
1769.  The  marriage  was  accomplished  contrar}-  to  Friends 
discipline,  and  in  consequence  they  lost  membership.  Eliz- 
abeth was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ellen  Mead,  formerly 
of  Wales.  She  was  born  October  6,  1745,  and  died  January 
22,  1825,  in  her  Soth  3'ear.  Ezekiel  Potts  died  January 
16,  1809,  aged  67  years. 

Children  of  Ezekiel  axd  Elizabeth  (Me.ad)  Potts. 

36  Ellen  Potts,  b.  April  4,  177 1;  d.  August  i^,  1773. 

37  David  Potts,  b.  Dec.  30,  1772;  d.  April  2,  1S49;  unmarried. 

38  Anna  Potts,  b.  Nov.  26,  1774;  d.  Feb.  16,  1840;   m.   ist,  Thomas 

Backhouse;  m.  2d,  George  Lafterty. 


300  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

39  Jane  Potts,  b.  June  19,  1777;  d.  April  30,  1S56;  unmarried. 

40  Jonas  Potts,  b.  Avig.  22,  1779;  d.  Sep.  26,  1S28;  ni.  :Martlia  Dow- 

ling. 

41  William  Potts,    Sep.  29,  17S1;  d.  Jan.  19,  1862;  m.  Isabella  Dow- 

ling. 

42  Jolni  Potts,  b.  Oct.  29,  17S3;  d.  June  10,  1793. 


10  Nathan  Potts,'  (David,'),  son  of  David  and  Ann  R. 
( )  Potts,  inherited  a  one  half  interest  in  the  home- 
stead and  grist  mill.  He  married,  first,  Ruth  Clews,  [now 
Close],  and  second,  PvUnice  Waller.  He  died,  intestate, 
abotit  1S09.  His  personal  estate,  amounting  to  $3071  49, 
was  appraised  September  15,  1809,  and  filed  July  9,  181  o. 

Children  of  Nathan  and  Ruth  (Clews)  Potts. 

43  Joshua  Potts,  m.  Barbara  White. 

44  Enos  Potts,  m.  Lydia  Brown. 

45  Isaiah  Potts. 

46  Jonas  Potts,  m.  and  had  a  daughter,  Susanna.       [He  was  called 

long"  Jonas,  the  plow-maker]. 

47  Susannah  Potts,  d.  about  1S29;  unmarried. 

48  Hannah  Potts,    m.  Euos  Best.       Children,    i    Elizabeth  Ann,   2 

Ruth,  3  Caroline,  4  Jonas,  5  Ephraim.  6  John  K.  7  Townsend, 
S  James. 

Children  of  Nathan  and  Eunice  (Waller)  Potts. 

49  Tamar  Potts. 

50  J  arret  Potts. 


17  Jonas  Potts,'  (Jonas, ^  David,'),  son  of  Jonas  and 
Mary  (Stroud)  Potts,  married  Phebe  Brown,  daughter  of 
David  Brown,  of  Frederick  County,  Virginia,  4  mo.  7,  1794. 
The  marriage  was  in  unity  with  Friends,  and  the  marriage 
certificate  was  recorded  by  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting. 

David  Brown  gave  his  daughter  200  acres  of  land,  loca- 
ted in  Frederick  County,  which  Jonas  Potts,  and  Phebe  his 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       301 

wife,  sold  to  William  McDowell,  in  1799,  for  $900.  Phebe 
Potts  died  9  mo.  22,,  1806,  aged  thirty  years.  Jonas  Potts 
died  February  i,  1S29,  without  issue  it  seems.  His  family 
Bible  is  still  in  possession  of  collateral  relatives  in  Virginia. 


18  Edward  Potts,'  (Jonas,*  David, ^),  son  of  Jonas  and 
Mary  (Stroud)  Potts,  married  Mary  Backhouse,  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Backhouse,  of  New  Castle  County,  Dela- 
ware, 12  mo.  12,  1792.  The  marriage  was  effe<5led  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  Friends,  and  the  certificate  recorded  by 
Fairfax  Monthly  Meeting.  About  1840,  complaint  was 
made  to  the  Monthly  Meeting,  that  Edward  Potts  had  pur- 
chased a  slave  and  held  him  in  bondage.  On  6  mo.  10,  1840, 
"a  testimony  was  produced  as  direcfted,  against  Edward 
Potts,  which  was  read  and  signed."  This  is  the  last  men- 
tion of  any  person  named  Potts  by  the  Fairfax  Monthly 
Meeting. 

He  was  familliarly  known  as  "  Neddy  Potts."  He  died 
in  1846,  without  issue.  By  will  he  bequeathed  his  estate 
to  his  wife,  his  sister  Betsey  Osburn,  and  numerous  neph- 
ews and  nieces.  Mary,  his  widow,  died  about  1853.  She 
left  a  small  bequest  to  Benjamin  Dixon,  a  colored  man, 
whom  Edward  Potts,  had  emancipated  during  his  life  time. 


19  John  Potts,'  (Jonas,*  David,*),  son  of  Jonas  and 
Mary  (Stroud)  Potts,  was  still  in  his  minority  on  6  mo.  29, 
1776,  when  he  is  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of  Fairfax 
Monthly  Meeting,  as  not  placed  among  Friends.  On  9  mo. 
29,  1788,  a  complaint  was  made  against  John  Potts,  "for 
joining  with  light  company  in  dancing,"  and  as  he  failed 
to  make  satisfaction  for  his  breach  of  discipline,  a  testimony 
was  produced  against  him,  i  mo.  23,  1790. 

It  is  probable  that  he  married  and  left  descendants,  but 
nothing  definite  has  been  learned.     His  brother  Edward,  in 


302  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

his  will,  (1845),  made  a  bequest  to  the  children  of  his  neph- 
ew John  Potts,  deceased.  The  children  of  this  nephew 
John  Potts  were,   i  John,   2  William,   3  Jonas,  4  David. 


33  John  Potts,'  (David, 2  David, '),  son  of  David  and 
Mary  (Thomas)  Potts,  was  born  March  6,  1769,  and  died 
November  15,  1828.  He  married  Mar>' Vestal,  daughter  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Potts)  Vestal,  February  6,  1794. 
She  was  born  Sep.  i,  1774,  and  died  Nov.  13,  1828.  John 
Potts  was  a  surve3'or  and  school  teacher. 

Children  of  John  and  Mary  (Vestal)  Potts. 

51  David  Potts,  b.  Juii.  ir,  1795;  d.  Nov.  4,  1873;  m.  Rebecca Talley. 

52  William  Potts,  b.  July  31,  1796;  d.  May  17,  1872;  unm. 

53  Jonas  Potts,  b.  Jul.  31,  1796;  d.  Apr.  iS,  1877;  m.  Mary  Dowling 

54  lilizabeth  Potts,  b.  July  18,  1798;  d.  Ocl.  14,  1826. 

55  John  Edward  Potts,    b.  Aug.  18,  1806;  d.  Feb.  2,  1SS5;  m.  Ruth 

Tallev. 


40  Jonas  Potts, 3  (Ezekiel,^  David,'),  son  of  Ezekiel 
and  Elizabeth  (Mead)  Potts,  was  born  Aug.  22,  1779,  and 
died  Sep.  26,  1828,  in  his  fiftieth  year.  He  married  Mar- 
tha Dowling,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Rachel  (Thompson) 
Dowling,  Nov.  29,  1798,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland. 
She  was  born  Dec.  28,  1781,  and  died  March  15,  1852. 
Residence,  Loudoun  County. 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Martha  (Doavling)  Potts. 

56  Kzekiel  Potts,  b,  061.  24,  1799;  '^-  Ocl.  12,  18S4;  m.  Ann  Conard. 

57  1'Av/.a  Potts,  b.  Dec.  13,  1801;  d.  Aug.  26,  1SS4;  m.  Nathan  Neer. 

Children,  T  Jonas  Potts,  2  David  Conard,  3  P'dward  Henry,  4 
Martha  Ann,  5  Nathan  Pranklin,  6  Joseph  Samuel,  7  Sarah 
p;ii7.a,  8  INIatilda. 

58  Lidward  Dowling  Potts,    b.  Oclober  12,    1S04;    d.  June  11,  1876; 

m.  Eliza  A  Thompson. 

59  Jane  Ann  Potts,  m.  Strother  Bell.     Children,  i  INIartha,  2  Jame.s, 

3  Jonas,  4  Harriet,  5  Annie,  6  Matilda. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       303 

60  Lydia  Heaton  Potts,  m.  John  Jones.     Children,    i  Robert  W..  2 

John  Edward,  3  Martha,  4  Nancj^,  5  Jane. 

61  Minerva  Potts,  d.  y. 


41  William  Potts,'  (Ezekiel,^  David,'),  son  of  Ezekiel 
and  Elizabeth  (Mead)  Potts,  was  born  Sept.  29,  17S1,  and 
died  Jan.  19,  1S62,  aged  75  5^ears,  10  months,  and  25  days. 
He  married  Isabella  Dowling,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Ra- 
chel (Thompson)  Dowling,  She  was  born  Odt,  24,  17S6, 
and  died  Novem.  24,  1839,  aged  53  j^ears,  i  month.  Res- 
idence, Loudoun  County. 

CHIT^DREN  of  WlIyUAM  AND  ISABEI.I,A  (DOWI^ING)  POTTS. 

62  Edwin  H.  Potts,  b.  May  29,  1S09;   d.  Decern.  22,  1878;   m.  Jane 

Clendenning. 

63  Emma  F.  Potts,  b.  July  16,  iSii,    d.  May  10,  1834;   m.  Eben  T. 

Hancock.     Son,   Charles. 

64  William  Henry  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  19,  1813;  d.  March  3,  1815. 

65  Minerva  Isabella  Potts,  b.  Feb.  29,  1816;  d.  Sep.  20,  181S. 

66  Frederick  Mortimer  Potts,    b.  Auo^.   26,   1818;   d.  Aug.   15,  1S96; 

m.  Martha  Jane  Osburn. 

67  Amanda  T.  Potts,  b.  Aug  14,  1S21;  d.  1890  (?);  m.  Albert  I.  Best, 

1862.     Daughter,   Ella  Mary,  b.  1S63;  d.  18S5. 


43     Joshua  Potts, 3  (Nathan, 2  David, ^),   son  of  Nathan 
and  Ruth  (Clews)  Potts,  married  Barbara  White. 

Chii,dren  of  Joshua  and  Barbara  (White)  Potts. 

68  Thomas  Potts,  m.  ist,  Mary  Ann  Wliite;  ni.  2d,  Sarah  Walraven 

69  Nathan  Potts. 

70  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  Nerval  Osburn.     Children,   i  Joshua,   2  Tur- 

ner, 3  Mary,  4  Rosanna. 

71  Ruth  Potts,  m.  Heclor  Osburn.    Children,  i  William,  2  Landon, 

3  Craven,  4  Rodney,  5  Barbara. 


44     Enos  Potts,'  (Nathan,*  David,'),  son  of  Nathan  and 
Ruth  (Clews)  Potts,  married  Lydia  Brown. 


304  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Children  of  Enos  and  Lydia  (Brown)  Potts. 

72  Lydia  Ann  Potts,  m.  John  W.  Best. 

73  Emily  Potts. 

74  Jonas  Potts. 


51  David  Potts/  (Jobn,^  David, ^  David,'),  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Vestal)  Potts,  was  born  June  11,  1795,  and  died 
Nov.  4,  1873.  He  married  Rebecca  Talley,  Feb.  24,  18 18. 
She  was  born  July  25,  179S,  and  died  Sep.  13,  1872.  They 
removed  to  Clinton  County,  Illinois,  about  1833. 

Children  of  D.wid  and  Rebf:cca  (Tallev)  Potts. 

75  P'liza  Ann  Potts,  b.  Aug.  2j,  1819;  m.  Israel  Dulaney,  1854. 

76  John  Potts,  b.  March  2,  1821;  d.  1S72;  m.  Martha  Short. 

77  Edward  Potts,  b.  Dec.  12,  1822;  d.  Oct.  27,  1S86;  m.  L,.  Hamlet. 

78  Nathan  Potts,  b.  March  24,  1825;  d.  1882;  m.  A.  A.  Huckelberry. 

79  William  Potts,  b.  June  2,  1827;  m.  Jane  Kelley. 

80  Jonas  Potts,  b.  April  30,  1829;  d.  Feb.  5,  1833. 

81  David  Franklin  Potts,  b.  July  19,  1831;   d.  Feb.  i,  1S33. 

82  Ebenezer  Potts,  b.  Aug.  16,  1833;  m.  Abigail  Ramsay. 

83  Mary  Margaret  Potts,  b.  May  13,  1835;  d.  Oift.  12,  1864;  m.  Rob- 

ert Alls.     Son,  Henry  H. 

84  Cyrus  Potts,  b.  June  22,  1837;  d.  Aug.  16,  1S63. 

85  Henry  Harrison  Potts,  b.  June  28,  1840;  d.  Sep.  7,  1858. 

53  Jonas  Potts,*  (John,'  David,'  David,*),  son  of  John 
and  Mary  (Vestal)  Potts,  was  born  July  31,  1796,  and  died 
April  18,  1877.  He  married  Mary  Dowling.  Residence, 
Loudoun  County,  Virginia., 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Mary  (Dowling)  Potts. 

86  Thomas  William  Potts,  b.  March  29,  1S39;  m.  Mary  Chamblin. 

87  John  Lewis  Potts,  b.  Dec.  15,  1S41;  d.  1S63,  in  Confederate  army. 

55  John  Edward  Potts,*  (John,' David,*  David,*),  son 
of  John  and  Mary  (Vestal)  Potts,  was  born  Aug.  18,  1806, 
and  died  Feb.  2,  1885.     He  married  Ruth  Talley,  Aug.  22, 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       305 
1S33.     She  died  Feb.  12,  1885.     Residence,  Loudoun  Co. 

Chh,d  of  John  Edward  and  Ruth  (Talley)  Potts. 

88  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  Sep.  ri,  1834;  m.  Nancy  D.  Blincoe. 

56  Ezekiel  Potts,*  (Jonas,'  Ezekiel,^  David, i),  son  of 
Jonas  and  Martha  (Dowling-)  Potts,  was  born  Odl.  24,  179Q, 
and  died  Qdt.  13,  1884.  He  married  Ann  Conard,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Barbara  (Smith)  Conard,  of  Loudoun  Co., 
April  13,  1820.  She  was  born  06i.  13,  1798,  and  died  Jq.n. 
19,  1883.     Residence,  Loudoun  County. 

Children  of  Ezekiel  .\nd  Ann  (Conard)  Potts. 

89  Jonas  John  Potts,  b.  Ma}-  19,  1821;  m.  Elizabeth  Davis. 

90  Barbara  Ann  Potts  b.  Nov.  7,  1822;  d.  Feb.  13,  1870;  unm. 

91  Martha  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Aug.  27,  1824;  d.  Feb.  8,  1870;  unm. 

92  Mary  Jane  Dowling  Potts,   b.  Sept.  22,  1S26;   m.  Joseph  Conard. 

Children,   i  Joseph,   2  Rosa,  3  Ella,  4  Charles. 

93  Joseph  Ezekiel  Potts,  b.  Feb.  9,  1831;  m.  Mary  Plarrel. 

94  Edward  Fletcher  Potts,  b.  Nov.  16,  1S34;  m.  ist,  Virginia  Wing- 

ard;  2d,  Jennie  Daniel.     Son,  Edward. 

58  Edward  Dowling  Potts,*  (Jonas,'  Ezekiel,^  David, ^), 
son  of  Jonas  and  Martha  (Dowling)  Potts,  was  born  Oc5l.  12, 
1804,  and  died  June  11,  1876.  He  married  Eliza  A.  Thomp- 
son, daughter  of  James  and  Ann  Thompson.  She  was  born 
Jan.  22,  1 8 10,  and  died  Sep.  12,  1883.  Residence,  Loudoun 
County. 

Children  of  Edward  D.  and  Eliza  A.  (Thompson)  Potts. 

95  James  Thompson  Potts,    b.  March  3,  1830;  d.  Jan'y  20,  1873;  m. 

Bascom.     Son,  James. 

96  Jonas  William  Potts,  b.  Dec.  12,  1831;  d.  Sep.  18,  1873;  unm. 

97  Lydia  Jane  Potts,  b.  Jan.  16,  1837;  m.  Harrison  Osburn,  1857. 

98  Martha  A.  Potts,   b.  P'eb.  27,  1S39;   m.  Samuel  D.  Leslie.     Chil- 

dren,  I  Harrison,   2  Elizabeth,  3  Clara,  4  Annie. 

62     Edwin  H.  Potts,*  (William,* Hzekiel.^David,^),  son 
of  William  and  Isabella  (Dowling)  Potts,  was  born  May  29, 
39 


3o6  The  Potts  Famit^y  in  America. 

1809,  and  died  Dec.  22,  187S.  He  married  Jane  Clenden- 
ning.  She  died  Dec.  2,  1888.  Residence,  Loudoun  Coun- 
ty, on  the  original  homestead  of  David  Potts. 

Children  of  Edwin  H.  and  Jane  (Clendenning)  Potts. 

99  Ruth  Ellen  Potts,  b.  1848;  d.  Sep.  7,  1853. 

100  William  C.  Potts,  in.  Sarah  Reed, 

loi  Emma  I.  Potts,  m.  Matthias  P.  Zacharias. 

102  Walter  B.  Potts,  m.  Anna  M.  Schriver,  who  d.  0(51.  1SS4. 

103  Sarah  E.  Potts,  m.  David  Conard  Neer. 

104  Laura  A.  Potts,   m.  Samuel  O.  Clendenning. 

105  Edwin  Clinton  Potts,  m. 

106  Harry  Clay  Potts,  m.  Lizzie  Beans. 

107  Nathaniel  D.  Potts,  m.  Martha  Gregory. 

108  Eppa  Hunter  Potts. 

66  Frederick  Mortimer  Potts,*  (William,*  Ezekiel,' 
David, ^),  son  of  William  and  Isabella  (Dowling)  Potts,  was 
born  August  26,  1818,  and  died  August  15,  1896.  He  mar- 
ried Martha  Jane  Osburn,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Patsey 
(Shepherd)  Osburn,  Nov.  3,  1852.  She  was  born  June  28, 
1831,  and  died  Mar.  29,  1892.     Residence,  Loudoun  County. 

Chii^dren  of  Frederick  M.  and  Martha  J.  (Osburn)  Potts. 

109  Charles  Combs  Potts,  b.  Sep.  16,  1853;  d.  July  3,  1893;  unm. 
no    Arthur  Harrison  Potts,  b.  Sep.  25,  1857;  m.  Lucy  G.  Hurst. 

111  Samuel  Turner  Potts,  b.  March  28,  1S60;  d.  April  30,  1862. 

112  Isabella  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1S62;  m.  Herod  Osburn. 

113  Jennie  Potts,    b.  June  6,   1869;   m.   John  William  Elder,     1887. 

Children,   i  Mary,  2  Rhoda. 

68  Thomas  Potts,*  (Jo.shua,'  Nathan, ^  David,'),  son  of 
Joshua  and  Barbara  (White)  Potts,  was  born  about  1806, 
and  died  1888.  He  married,  first,  Mary  Ann  White,  and 
second,  Lydia  Walraven,  or  Walgrave. 

ChiIvDren  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Ann  (White)  Potts. 

114  Elizabeth  Potts,   m.  Henry  Moore. 

115  Nancy  Potts. 

116  Joshua  Osburn  Potts,  m.  Ada  White.     No  issue. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       307 

76  John  Potts,5  (David,^  John, 3  David,2  David,'),  son 
of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talley)  Potts,  was  born  March  2, 
1 82 1,  and  died  1872.  He  married  Martha  Short,  April  20, 
1843. 

CH11.DRKN  OF  John  and  Martha  (Short)  Potts. 

117  Caroline  Amanda  Potts,   b.  July  4,  1S44. 

118  Eliza  Virginia  Potts,   b.  Dec.  16,  1845. 

119  John  Potts. 
r20    James  Potts. 
121     William  Potts. 


77  Edward  Potts, =  (David.*  John,^  David, ^  Davd,'), 
son  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talley)  Potts,  Dec.  12,  1822, 
and  died  0(51.  27,  1886.  He  married  Lavinia  Hamlet,  May 
26,  1845.  She  died  April  8,  1853  (?).  Residence,  Clinton 
County,  Illinois. 

ChtIvDren  of  Edward  and  Lavinia  (Hami^et)  Potts. 

122  David  Potts,  b.  Sep.  19,  1S46. 

123  Leslie  Potts. 

124  John  W.  Potts,  b.  April  19,  1S49. 

125  Isaiah  Potts,    b.  June  15,  1S53. 

126  Sarah  Potts. 

127  Thomas  Potts. 

128  America  Potts. 

78  Nathan  Potts, '  (David,*  John,^  David, «  David, i), 
son  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talle}' )  Potts,  was  born  March 
24,  1825,  and  died  1882.  He  married  America  Huckelberry, 
Oct.  27,  1853.  In  1 88 1,  he  removed  from  Clinton  County, 
Illinois,  to  Texas,  and  in  the  next  year  was  thrown  from  a 
wagon  and  died  two  hours  later.  His  widow  and  two  sur- 
viving sons,  subsequent!}',  removed  to  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Nathan  and  America  (Huckelberry)  Potts. 

129  David  Henry  Potts,  b.  August  29,  1854. 

130  Edward  Harrison  Potts,  b.  Sep.  iS,  1856;  d.  May  6,  1857. 

131  Nathan  Lewis  Potts. 


;^o8  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

79  William  Potts,*  (David,''  John,'  David,*  David,'), 
son  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talley)  Potts,  was  born  June  2, 
1827,  and  died  April,  1886.  He  married  Jane  Kelley,  Mar. 
2,  1S54.     Seven  children.     Residence,  Fawn,  Kansas. 


82  Ebenezer  Potts,*  (David,*  John,'  David, =  David, »), 
son  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talley)  Potts,  was  born  August 
16,  1833.  He  married  Abigail  Ramsay,  March  21,  1861. 
Residence,  Keyesport,   Clinton  County,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Ebenezer  and  Abigail  (Ramsay)  Potts. 

132  jeanette  Potts,  b.  Jan  17,  1S62;   d.  y. 

133  William  Potts,  b.  1S65. 

134  Wiley  Potts,   b.  1S65. 

135  Lewis  Potts,  b.   1S67. 

136  Martha  Ann  Potts,  b.  1S75. 

137  Lela  Frances  Potts,  b.   iSSi. 

138  Ruby  Potts,  b.  1S85. 

84  Cyrus  Potts,'  (David,*  John,'  David,'  David, '),  son 
of  David  and  Rebecca  (Talley)  Potts,  was  born  June  22, 
1837,  and  died  August  16,  1863.     He  was  married. 

Child  of  Cyrus  and ( )  PoTTS. 

139  Cyrus  Potts,  b.  1864.     Residence,  Duncannon,  Pa. 

86  Thomas  ^A/illiam  Potts,*  (Jonas,*  John,'  David,' 
David,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  (Dowling)  Potts,  was  born 
March  29,  1839.  He  married  Mary  A.  Chamblin.  Resi- 
dence, Neersville,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 

Children  of  Thomas  W.  and  Mary  A.  (Chamblin)  Potts. 

140  James  William  Everet  Potts,  b.  Aug.  8,  1S60. 

141  Emma  Drusilla  Potts,   b.  July  28,  1864. 

142  John  Thomas  Grant  Potts,  b.Sep.  4,  1866. 

143  David  Henry  Potts,  b.  Aug.  7,  1868. 

144  Samuel  Richard  Potts,  b.  Nov.  25,  1870. 

145  Eliza  Jane  Potts,  b.  March  25,  1S72. 


David  Potts,  IvOudoun  County,  Virginia.       309 

146  Mary  Etta  Catharine  Potts,  b.  June  5,  1874. 

147  Joseph  Edward  Centennial  Potts,  b.  Nov.  5,  1876. 

148  Ida  Ellen  Potts,  b.  December  15,  1877, 

149  Arthur  Eugene  Potts,  b.  January  11,  1881. 


88  Jonathan  Potts,'  (John  Edward,*  John,'  David,^ 
David,  ^),  son  of  John  Edward  and  Ruth  (Talley)  Potts,  vras 
born  Sep.  11,  1834.  He  married  Nancy  D.  Blincoe.  She 
was  born  Oct.  19,  1845.  Residence,  Mechanicsville,  Lou- 
doun County,  Virginia. 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Nancy  D.  (Blincoe)  Po'rrs. 

150  Lillian  Potts,  b.  April  25,  1870. 

151  Helen  Virgie  Potts,  b.  March  26,  1873. 

152  Joseph  Clinton  Potts,  b.  July  6,  1875. 


89  Prof.  Jonas  John  Potts,'  (Ezekiel,*  Jonas,' Ezeki- 
el,^  David,'),  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Ann  (Conard)  Potts,  was 
born  Ma}-  19,  1821.  He  married  Elizabeth  Davis,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  John  and  Jane  (Williams)  Davis,  of  Hartford 
County,  Maryland,  Dec.  25,  1845.  He  has  been  a  teacher, 
formerly  in  Virginia.  In  1869,  he  removed  to  Missouri, 
and  established  a  successful  school  at  St.  Charles,  Present 
residence,  Montgomery  City,  Missouri. 

Children  of  Jonas  J.  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Davis)  Potts. 

153  William  Henry  Potts,  b.  Sep.  22,  1847;  d.  Ocl.  i,  1847. 

154  Virginia  Frances  Potts,  b.  Jan  31,  1850;  m.  Judge  Elliott  McKay 
. Hughes,  of  Montgomery  City,  Missouri.     Children,   i  Virginia 

"^  Thomas,  2  Guy  Potts,  3  William  Clarkson,  4  Samuel  Wheeler, 
5  Elliott  McConnell,  6  Charles  Henry,  7  Robert  Shelton,  8 
John  Davis. 

155  Charles  William  Potts,  b.  Feb.  17,  1853;   m.  Kate  Porter.     Chil- 

dren,  I  Harrison,   2  Katie. 

156  Henry  Bascom  Potts,  b.  Sep.  7,  1854;  m.  Stella  Ward.      Daugh- 

ter, Myrtle. 


93     Rev.  Joseph  Ezekiel  Potts, ,^    (Ezekiel,*  Jonas,' 
Ezekiel,*  David,'),  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Ann  (Conard)  Potts, 


3IO  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

was  born  Feb.  g,  1831.     He  married  Mary  Harrel,  June  14, 
1857.     He  and  his  sons  are  Methodist  ministers. 

Children  ok  Joseph  E.  and  Makv  (Harrei,)  I'otts. 
157     Reginald  Potts. 
15S     Edgar  Potts. 

159  Thomas  Potts. 

160  Eugene  Potts. 


iio  Arthur  Harrison  Potts, ^  (Frederick  Mortimer,* 
WiUiam,^  P>.ekiel,^  David/),  son  of  Frederick  Mortimer  and 
Martha  Jane  COsburn)  Potts,  was  born  Sep.  25,  1857.  He 
married  Lucy  G.  Hunst,  daughter  of  Edward  S.  and  Ann 
Virginia  (Costello)  Hurst,  Sep.  10,  1890.  Post-office,  Hills- 
boro,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 

Chii^dren  of  Arthur  H.  and  Lucv  G.  (Hurst)  Potts. 

161  Harrison  Plurst  Potts,   b.  June  29,  1S91. 

162  Lucy  Virginia  Potts,   U   May  14,  1S94;   d.  Augu.st  7.  1895.^- 

163  Mary  Virginia  Potts,   ' 

164  Annabel  Lee  Potts,   b.  August  16,  1896. 

165  Frederick  Mortimer  Potts,  b.  December  i,  1897. 


Memoranda.  There  are,  evidently,  many  other  descendants  of  Da- 
vid Potts,  than  are  enumerated  in  the  foregoing  Chapter,  but  they 
have  not  come  to  the  notice  of  the  compiler. 

Stephen  Potts,  son  of  a  Samuel  Potts,  was  born  Aug.  21,  1803,  in 
Loudoun  County,  Virginia.  When  quite  yoimg,  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio  County,  iu  the  vicinity  of  Wheeling,  and  afterwards 
to  Woodsfield,  Monroe  County,  Ohio.  In  1S37,  he  married  Sophia  Mc- 
Kinley,  and  engaged  in  merchandizing.  He  was  long  a  resident  of 
Guernsey  County,  Ohio.  He  served  as  County  Treasurer  and  as  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate.  He  also  held  other  minor  offices  of 
trust.  He  was  long  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  and  later  in 
the  L^nited  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  August  to,  1886.  He  had 
four  children,  only  one  of  whom — Mrs.  Belle  P.  McCartney — survived 
him. 


*  NoTi;.  It  i*;  quite  rern.-irkable  tb.it  these  twins  lived  to  exactly  the  same  ape. 
Lucy  was  the  eldest  by  one  and  a  half  hours,  and  in  death  preeeeded  her  sister  by 
justthe  same  space  of  time. 


David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       311 


A  Pedigree  of  the  Family  of  David  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 


-Joiias=Mary  Stroud 

-Anii=Johu  Vestal 

-Mary= Backhouse 

-Christian-^  Samuel 

[Pearson 


-David  Potts 

-Samuel  Potts 

-Joiias=Phebe  Brown 

-Ed\vard-  =  Mary  Backhouse 

-John  Potts 

-Hannah  T  William  Vestal 

± Hail 

-Elizabeth= Osburn 


-Jonathan=Elizabeth Joshua  Potts 


-SamueU 


=Eliz'h  Thomas 


-David  =Marj-  Thomas 


=Temperance 

[Heith- 


•Ezekiel=Eliz"h  Jlead - 


-Jane= Jonathan  Conard 
-Elizabeth=John  Conard 
-Rachel^ Adam  Swink 

in Osburn 

-Susannah=Henry  Neer 


■l-Thomas  Potts 
|-Tamar— John  Ingram 

1-Stephen  Potts 

-Mar£{aret=Hugh  Thompson 
•i-Nathan  Potts 

-Ruth  Potts 
i-Elizabeth  Potts 

-David  Potts 

-Jonas  Potts 

-William  Potts 

-John— Mary  Vestal 

-Joseph  l,ewis  Potts 
-Mahala  I.=Jacob  G.  Paxson 

-Ellen  Potts 
-David  Potts 
-Anna  +  Thomas  Backhouse 

±  George  Laffert3' 
-Jane  Potts 
-Jouas=^ Martha  Dowling 

-William ^Isabella  Dowling — 
-John  Potts 


-Nathan=^Ruth  Clews- 


|-Joshua=Barbara  White  • 


Enos=Lydia  Brown  - 

Isaiah  Potts 
-Jonas  Potts 
-Susannah  Potts 
-Hannah=Enos  Best 


-David=Rebecca  Talley 
-William  Potts 
-Jona$=Mary  Dowling 
-Elizabeth  Potts 
-John  E.  =  Ruth  Talley 


-Ezekiel=Ann  Conard 
-Eliza  =  Xathan  Xeer 
-Edward  D.=Eliza  A. 

[Thompson 
-Jane  A.  =  Strother  Bell 
-Lydia  H.=John  Jones 
-Minerva  Potts 


-Edwin  H.  =  J.Clendening 
-Emma  F.  =  E.T.  Hancock 
-William  Henry  Potts 
-Minerva  Isabella  Potts 
-Fred.M.=Martha  Osburn 
-AmandaT.=AlbertI.Best 


-Thomas  =F Mary  A.  White 
±  Sara  Walraven 
-Nathan  Potts 
-Elizab"h=Nor%'al  Osburn 
-Ruth=  Hector  Osburn 


-Lj-dia  A.  =  John  W.  Best 
-Emily  Potts 
-Jonas  Potts 


=Eunice  Waller-'-Taniar  Potts 
i-Jarret  Pctts 


312  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loodoon  County,  Virginia. 


I  JONAS  POTTS  was  undoubtedly  a  son  of  Jonas 
Potts,  of  Philadelphia  County,  Pennsylvania,  by  his  second 
wife,  and  was  evidently  born  in  Pennsylvania.  See  Chap- 
ter VIII.  The  date  of  his  birth  has  not  been  learned,  but 
he  was  seemingly  one  of  the  younger  children,  perhaps  the 
youngest  child  of  Jonas.  Tradition  of  descendants  allege 
that  the  family  came  to  Pennsylvania  from  Wales.  Jonas 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  is  said  to  have  been  twice 
married,  and  that  his  second  wife  was  Mary  Heckathorn. 

He  removed  to  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,  where  he  pur- 
chased 270  acres  from  David  Potts,  his  half  brother,  as  ap- 
pears bj'  deed  dated,  May  8,  1759.*  This  was  one  half  of  a 
tracft  of  540  acres  that  David  Potts  had  previously  bought 
from  Catesby  Cocke.  Jonas  Potts  is  described  as  ' '  smith  ' ' 
in  the  deed.  In  1760,  Jonas  Potts,  blacksmith,  and  Mary, 
his  wife,  sold  100  acres,  part  of  the  foregoing,  to  Samuel 
Stroud,     Jonas  signs  as   "  Jonas  Potts,  Smith." 

On  May  9,  1761,  Jonas  Potts,  blacksmith,  and  Mary,  his 
wife,  sold  122  acres,  part  of  the  original  purchase,  to  James 
Thomas.  He  signs,  "  Jonas  Potts,  Smith."  On  August 
20,  1 76 1,  Jonas  Potts  obtained  a  patent  from  "  the  Propri- 
etors olhce  of  the  northern  neck  of  Virginia,"  for  a  tract  of 
land  on  or  about  Round  Hill. 

On  Odlober  13,  1761,  he  sold  122  acres  on  the  north  fork 

*  See  page  289,  ante. 


JoNUS  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.        313 

of  Kittockton,  to  Jonas  Potts,  farmer.*  In  the  description 
of  boundaries,  mention  is  made  of  "  Samuel  Potts'  corner." 
He  signs  "Jonas  Potts,  Blacksmith."  On  June  11,  1764, 
he  sold  371  acres,  on  or  about  Round  Hill,  to  Thomas  Hum- 
phreys. This  was  part  of  the  tracl  granted  by  patent  to 
Jonas  Potts  in  1761.  He  signs,  "  Jonas  Potts,  Blacksmith." 
Mary  Potts  joins  her  husband  in  signing  each  of  the  fore- 
going deeds  of  sale.  There  are  probably  other  deeds  on 
record  in  the  name  of  this  Jonas  Potts,  not  examined  by  the 
compiler.  Jonas  Potts  has  been  a  common  name  in  lyou- 
doun  County.  Down  to  1S33,  among  the  numerous  Potts 
deeds  recorded  in  that  County,  the  index  shows  nearly  fifty 
deeds  in  the  name  of  Jonas  Potts.  These,  of  course,  in- 
clude several  different  persons  who  bore  this  name. 

How  long  Jonas  Potts  continued  to  live  in  Loudoun  Coun- 
ty is  not  clear.  He  and  all  his  children  seem  to  have  re- 
moved to  western  Pennsylvania  or  eastern  Ohio  before  the 
close  of  the  century,  or  shortly  after.  His  descendants  say 
that  Jonas  Potts  settled  at  Georgetown,  Beaver  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  about  18 14,  at  a  great  age. 
Mary,  his  wife,  died  about  181 2  or  18 13.  They  were  bur- 
ied on  Phillips  Island,  in  the  Ohio  River.  This  island  is 
the  second  above  Georgetown. 

As  before  stated,  Jonas  Potts  is  said  to  have  been  twice 
married.  It  is  futher  alleged  that  Thomas  and  Noah  were 
children  b}'  the  second  marriage.  Information  is,  however, 
not  sufficiently  positive,  to  designate  which  were  the  chil- 
dren of  each  wife.  Neither  is  it  certain  that  they  are  all 
arranged  below  in  the  correcft  order  of  birth.  The  records 
of  descendants  which  follow,  have  been  mainl}''  coUedted 
from  members  of  the  various  branches,  and  while  in  many 
instances  quite  incomplete,  are  believed  to  be  fairly  accu- 
rate. 


*  NOTK.    Jonas  Potts,  farmer,  was  the  son  of  David  Potts,  and  a  nephew  of  Jo- 
nas Potts,  smith.    See  page  295,  ante. 

40 


314  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ChiIvDren  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( )  Potts, 

2  David  Potts,  b.  17I21  ni.  Milly  Adams, 

3  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  1744;  d.  1831;  m.  Elizabeth  English. 

4  John  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1525;  m.  Susan       \\  \-\   |  1       .-j 

5  Jonas  Potts,  b, ;  d.  1833;  m.  Hannah 

6  Nathan  Potts,  b.  1764;  d.  ;  m.  Mary  Chamblin. 

7  Joshua  Potts,  b.  1769;  d.  1850;  m.  Milly  Suver. 

8  Thomas  Potts,  b. ;  d. ;  m.  Mary  Martin. 

9  Noah  Potts,  b.  1772;  d.  1856;  m.  Barbara  Heckathorn. 
10  A  daiighter,  m.  Richard  Hart. 


2  David  Potts, ^  (Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( — ) 
Potts,  was  born  about  the  year  175^,*  probably  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  removed  to  lyoudoun  Comity,  Virginia,  with  his 

0^-i^    <<•  Parents.     He  served  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  in  the  Vir- 
-pT&'i^  ginia  Continental  Line.     On  June  10,  1819,  he  was  granted 

a  soldier's  pension.  His  age  was  then  giv'en  as  77  years. 
He  removed  to  Ohio  and  settled  on  Paint  Creek,  about  five 
miles  below  Chilicothe.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Mar- 
ion County  where  he  died.     His  wife  was  Milly  Adams. 

Chii^dren  of  David  and  Milly  (Adams)  Potts. 

11  Milly  Potts,  m.  James  Mowser.      Children,   i  Jacob,   2  David,  3 

William,  4  Perry. 

12  Fanny  Potts,  unm. 

13  Abby  Potts,  m.  David  Wolverton.     No  i.ssue. 

14  James  Potts,  m.  and  had  children. 

15  David  Potts,  b.  1808;  d,  1882;   m.  Rachel  Morris. 

3  Jonathan  Potts,*  (Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary 

( )  Potts,   was  born  about  the  3'ear  i744,t  probabl}-  in 

Pennsylvania,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Virginia. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  served  in 
the  Virginia  Continental  Line.     On  account  of  his  patriotic 

*  Note.  The  date  of  birth  is  found  from  hi.s  age  given  at  the  time  his  soldier's 
pension  was  granted. 

t  Note.  The  dale  of  birth  was  given  to  the  compiler  by  Jonathan's  .son  Wil- 
liam, and  its  correctness  is  confirmed  by  his  age  given  at  the  granting  of  his  pen- 
-sion.  Jonathan  Potts,  (No.  47),  mentions  the  death  of  his  uncle  in  his  diary,  and 
incidentally  says  he  was  nearly  74  years  old.     This  is  clearly  an  error. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       315 

services,  he  was  granted  a  pension  on  March  17,  18 19.  He 
married  Elizabeth  English  about  1788.  He  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  but  was  probabl}^  also  engaged  in  farming. 
He  removed  from  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,  to  Washing- 
ton County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  lived  for  several  3'ears. 
In  1800,  his  name  appears  in  the  assessment  list  for  Han- 
over Township,  when  he  is  designated  as  "blacksmith." 
Shortly  after  this  he  removed  to  Jefiferson  County  Ohio, 
where  he  died  July  4,  1831.  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  died  Jan- 
uary 14,  1 8 14, 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Ei^izabeth  (English)  Potts. 

16  Joshua  Potts,  b.  April  12,  1789;  m.  Catharine  Chayser. 

17  Thomas  Potts,  b.  Feb.  12,  1791;  m.  ist,  Rosana  Jackson;  m.  2d, 

Elizabeth  Wallace. 

18  David  Potts,  b.  Feb.  11,  1793;  m.  ist,  Susannah  Jackson,  m.  2d,  ®*^ 

Margaret  Penny.  ^  "^ 

19  John  Potts,  b.  March  6,  1795;  m.  Rebecca  Harris. 

20  Nathan  Potts,   b.  August  6,  1797.     Burned  to  death. 

21  Anna  Potts,  b.  June  28,  1799;  ni.  John  Goodwin. 

22  Jonas  Potts,  b.  June  15,  1801;  m.  Elizabeth  Johnson,  1S22. 

23  Samuel  L.  Potts,  b.  May  2,  1803;  d.  Aug.  31,  1867;  m.  Elizabeth 

Barnes. 

24  Mary  Potts,  b.  August  i,  1805;  m.  Osmond  Ryan. 

25  Lydia  Potts,  b.  September  28,  1807;    m.    ist,  Thomas  Rowland; 

m.  2d,  John  Cain. 

26  William  Potts,    b.  Feb.  11,  1810;    m.    ist,  Cecelia  Hurd;   m.  2d, 

Mary  H.  Morris. 

27  Sarah  Potts,  April  13,  1813;  d.  y. 

4     John  Potts,'  (Jonas, V),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( ) 

Potts,  served  as  a  member  of  the  Ninth  Virginia  Blues,  in 
the  Revolutionary  War.  The  Virginia  records  show  that 
John  Potts  was  a  Corporal  in  Captain  Charles  Porterfield's 
Company,  as  it  stood  November  2,0,  '^Tl^-  He  married  Su- 
san, . ,-{  Huj^ibf^v'-  John  Potts  removed  from  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia,  to  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
lived  for  several  years.     About  the  year  iSoo,  he  removed 

*  Note.    The  maiden  name  of  Susan  has  not  been  learned.    Different  corre- 
spondent-s  have  given  it  a.s,  HiggeniS,  Hibben,  Hibet,  Wiggens  and  Grigg. 


3i6  Thk  PotTvS  Family  in  America. 

to  Jefferson  Comity,  Ohio,  and  subsequently  to  Carroll 
County,  where  he  died  about  1825.  Susan,  his  wife,  died 
in  1853,  aged  93  years. 

Chii^dren  of  John  and  vSusan  ( )  Pot^s. 

28  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  I7S6(?);  d.  1S58;  m.  m.  Elizabeth  Triplet. 

29  Jonas  Potts.     Died  in  the  War  of  1S12.      Buried  near  I^ake  Erie. 

30  John  Potts,  m.  Margaret  Kinder. 

31  Nathan  Potts. 

32  James  Potts,  b.  1796;  m.  ist,  Nancy  Parkinson;  2d,  Jane  Maple, 

33  David  Potts,  b.  1807;  m.  Rachel  Wiggens. 

34  Thomas  Potts,  b.  1807;  m.  Catharine  Rondbush. 

35  Sarah  Potts. 

36  Deborah  Pott. 

37  Margaret  Potts. 


5  Jonas  Potts,'^  (Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mar>'  ( — ) 
Potts  was  probably  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia,  and 
died  in  Hanover  Township,  Washington  County,  Penna., 
about  1833.  His  wife's  name  was  Hannah.  There  is  a 
tradition  that  possibly  applies  to  him.  As  a  young  man  he 
removed  to  Washington  Count}^  and  settled  in  the  woods. 
He  is  reported  to  have  been  a  very  strong  and  acftive  man. 
It  is  alleged  that  he  was  sometimes  compelled  to  take  ref- 
uge in  the  thick  branches  of  a  huge  grape-vine  in  the  top  of 
a  tree,  for  the  night,  as  a  protection  against  wild  animals. 
It  is  also  alleged,  that  after  some  time  he  returned  to  Vir- 
ginia, married  a  wife,  and  took  her  to  his  new  home. 

The  records  of  deeds,  in  Washington  County,  show  that 
he  made  several  purchases  of  land,  aggregating  several  hun- 
dred acres,  which  included  the  territory  just  west  of  the 
of  the  present  village  of  Florence.  Jonas  and  Hannah,  his 
wife,  join  in  deeds  for  the  sale  of  several  parcels  of  land. 
The  will  of  Jonas  Potts  is  dated  June  i,  1822,  and  was  pro- 
ven April  18,  1833.  In  the  will  he  describes  himself  as 
"  being  far  advanced  in  age."  In  1826,  his  mind  having  be- 
come impaired,  a  special  adl  of  Assembly  was  passed,  mak- 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.        317 

ing  David  Bnice,  James  Kerr,  and  Benjamin  Bubbitt,  trus- 
tees of  his  estate.  In  the  same  year,  these  trustees  sold  a 
tract  of  36  acres  and  75  perches,  on  petition  of  John  Carroll, 
a  grandson  of  Jonas  Potts. 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Hannah  ( )  Potts. 

38  David  Potts,  in.  Amelia 

39  Jesse  Potts. 

40  Jonas  Potts,  m.  Lj'dia  Jackson. 

41  Samuel  Potts. 

42  Anna  Potts,    ni.  Jonas  Sams. 

43  A  daughter,  m.  Carroll. 

6  Nathan  Potts, ^    (Jonas, ^),    son  of  Jonas  and  Marj' 

( )  Potts,  was  born  July  10,  1764,  in  Loudoun  Count}^ 

Virginia.  He  married  Mary  Chamblin,  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Monica  Chamblin,  Jan.  2,  1793.  She  was  born  May-, 
1770.  In  1799,  he  remov-ed  to  Washington  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, arriving  at  the  home  of  his  brother  Jonas  Potts, 
on  Ocflober  20.  He  engaged  in  farming,  and  continued  to 
live  in  Washington  County  tmtil  about  1825,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Fox  Township,  Carroll  County,  Ohio. 

Chii:<dren  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Chambun)  Potts. 

44  Mary  Potts,  b.  Sep.  20,  1793;  m.  Thomas  Spacht. 

45  William  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  30,  1795;  m.  Sarah  Huffman. 

46  Nancy  Potts,  b.  July  28,  179S;  m.  Thomas  Potts,  (60). 

47  Jonathan  Potts,    b.  Nov.  20,  1799;   d.  Sept.  4,  18S0;  ni.  Rebecca 

McMillan. 

48  Sarah  Potts,  b.  July  22,  iSoi;  d.  May  5,  1S2S;  m.  John  Greene. 

49  Amelia  Potts,  b.  April  8,  1803;  d.  1831;  m.  James  Potts,  (62). 

50  Nathan  Potts,  b.  March  4,  1805;  m.  Amanda .     Residence, 

Perry  County,  Ohio. 

51  Lorenza  Potts,   b.  May  22,  1S07. 

52  Frederick  Potts,  b.  August  14,  1809. 

53  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  October  8,  1812. 

7  Joshua  Potts, ^  (Jonas,'),    son   of  Jonas  and   Mary 
( )  Potts,  was  born  Feb.  4,  1769,  in  Loudoun  County, 


3i8  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Virginia.  He  married  Milly  Silver,  August  3,  1797.  He 
was  Overseer  of  a  plantation  for  some  time,  perhaps  in  Fred- 
erick County,  as  his  son  David  is  said  to  have  been  born  in 
that  County.  About  1S14,  he  removed  to  Richland  [now 
Ashland]  County,  Ohio,  near  the  town  of  Hayesville.  He 
settled  in  the  woods,  five  miles  from  his  nearest  neighbor, 
and  lived  in  a  covered  wagon  while  he  built  a  log  cabin. 
About  1837,  he  removed  to  Lawrence  County,  Illinois,  and 
died  there,  perhaps  at  about  80  years  of  age.  His  wife  is 
said  to  died  at  above  90  years  of  age.  Some  of  the  family 
allege  that  Nathan  Potts  died  in  Ohio  and  was  buried  at  or 
near  Hayesville. 

Chii.dren  of  Joshua  and  Miwa'  (Suver)  Potts. 

54  John  Potts,  b.  April  8,  1802;  d.  Nov.  14,  1S50;  m.  Rhoda  Black. 

55  Eliza  Potts,  b.  Jan.  12,  1805;  d.  April  21,  1841;  m.  Collins  Bush- 

nell.     Children,   i  Tully  C,   2  Sterling  G.,  3  Collins  W. 

56  David  Potts,  b.  June  22,  181 1;  d.  Sept.  24,  1866;   m.  ist,  Martha 

Underwood;  m.  2d,  Hannah  Jane  Ramsey. 

57  Joshua  Potts,  b.  March  27,  1814;  d.  March — ,  1874;   m.  ist,  Re- 

becca Harvout;   ni.  2d,  Laura  Colloson;   m.  3d,  Mary.  Couch. 

58  Harriet  Potts,  b.  1815;  d.  1875;  m.  Thomas  Stringer.     Children, 

2  Minerva,  2  El/.a,  3  Eunice,  4  Millie,  5  Hurlbert,    6  Harriet. 

9  Noah  Potts, 2  (Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and  Mary  ( — ) 
Potts,  was  born  in  1772,  in  Loudoun  Coimty,  Virginia.  He 
removed  to  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  at  or 
near  Georgetown  on  the  Ohio  River.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
held  some  local  offices.  He  married  Barbara  Heckathorn, 
daughter  of  George  Heckathorn,  about  1800,  She  was  born 
1780  and  died  August,  1855.     Jonas  died  F'eb.  4,  1856. 

Chii.drkn  ok  Noah  and  Barbara  (Heckathorn)  Potts. 

59  Sarah  Potts,  b.  1799;  m.  Thompson.     Children,   i  Benja- 

min, 2  Manoah,  3  Rachel,  4  Sarah. 

60  Thomas  Potts,  b.  1800;  m.  Nancy  Potts, (46). 

61  Polly  Potts,  b.  1802. 

62  James  Potts,  b.  1804;  m.  ist,  Amelia  Potts, (49);  m.  2d,  Nancy 

63  Rachel  Potts,  b.  1807;  m.  Campbell.      Children,    i  Noah 

Potts,   2  Thomas,   3  David,  4  Samantha,  5  Joseph,  6  Benjamin, 
7  Je.sse,  8  John,  9  Rebecca,   10  Wallace,   11  Wallace. 


Jonas  Potts,  L,oudoun  County,  Virginia,        319 

64  David  Potts,  b.  0&..  9,  1809;  in.  Sarah  Hart. 

65  Robert  Potts,  b.  1811. 

66  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  June  16,  1S13. 


15  David  Potts,^  (David,^  Jonas,*),  son  of  David  and 
Milly  (Adams)  Potts,  was  born  1808,  and  died  1882.  He 
married  Rachel  Morris.  She  was  born  1808,  and  died  Aug, 
I,  1866.     Residence,  Amanda,  Fairfield  Count}'',  Ohio. 

Children  of  David  and  Rachel  (Morris)  Potts. 

67  Ruth  Potts,   b.  1833;  ni.  Daniel  L.  Reber. 

68  Cynthia  Potts,  b.  1835;  m.  Isaac  Knouff.     Children,    i  Laura,  2 

John,  3  George,  4  Anna,  5  Eunice. 

69  Jane  Potts,  b.  1837;  m.  Lorenza  Ashbell.     Children,    i  Lizzie,   2 

Ida,  3  Maggie. 

70  Milton  Potts,  b,  1839;  m.  Mary  Cowan. 

71  Ellen  Potts,  b.  1846;  m.  John  Dodd. 

72  Charles  Potts,  d.  1869;  m.  Alniira  Hemphill. 


23  Samuel  L.  Potts, ^  (Jonathan,*  Jonas,*),  son  of  Jon- 
athan and  Elizabeth  (English)  Potts,  was  born  May  2,  1803, 
and  died  August  31,  1867.  He  married  Elizabeth  Barnes, 
daughter  ot  Thomas  and  Nancy  Barnes,  March  29,  1825. 
Residence,  Jefferson  and  Harrison  Counties,  Ohio.  Occu- 
pation, merchant  and  innkeeper. 

Children  of  Samuel  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Potts. 

73  Nancy  Potts,  b.  Sep.  21,  1826;  m.  Dr.  A.  H.  Ta34or.      Children, 

I  Orville,   2  Samuel,  3  Robert,  4  William,  5  Lizzie,  6  Margaret. 

74  Jonathan  Smith  Potts,  b.  May  i,  1828;   m.  Nancy  Vandegraft. 

75  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Feb.  9,  1830;  d.  Nov.  8,  1877;   m.   ist.  Dr.  A. 

W.Guthrie.     Children,   i  James  D.,   2  Elizabeth,  J.,  3  William 
Potts,  4  Ettie.     Married,  2d,  John  A.    Croskey. 

76  Dilliann  Potts,    b.  OS..  24,  1831;   d.   March  15,  1856;   m.   Ross  J. 

Roberts.     Children,    2  Elizabeth  E.,   2  Samuel  R.,  3  Richard. 

77  William  O.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  19,  1836;  m.  Ella  F.  Wharton. 

78  Sarah  C.  Potts,  b.  May  16,  1839;  d.  March  i,  1840. 


320  Thk  Potts  Family  in  America. 

26  William  Potts,' (Jonathan, 2  Jonas/),  son  of  Jona- 
than and  Pvli/abeth  (English)  Potts,  was  born  Feb.  11,  18 10. 
He  married,  first,  Cecelia  Hurd,  in  Portage  County,  Ohio; 
and  second,  Mary  H.  Morris.  Residence,  Aberdeen,  Brown 
County,  Ohio. 

Children  of  Wiluam  and  Chcki.ia  (Hurd)  Potts. 

79  Hannah  Potts,  b.  1S37. 

80  James  K.  Potts,  b.  1846;  ni.  Carrie  Carson,  1879. 

81  William  Potts,,  b.  1849. 

Children  of  William  and  Mary  H.  (^^Iorris)  Potts. 

82  Rlias  Potts,  b.  1856. 

83  Sarah  Potts,  b.  1S59. 

84  Albert  Potts,  b.  1S61. 

85  Ann  Eliza  Potts,  b.  1867. 

28     Jonathan  Potts,'  (John,'  Jonas,'),  son  of  John  and 

vSusan  ( )  Potts,  was  born  1786,  and  died  Apr.  23,  1858. 

He  married  Elizabeth  Triplet,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sa- 
rah Triplet,  in  18 10.  She  was  born  December  i,  1791,  and 
died  Dec.  29,  1869.  Residence,  Virginia,  Pennsylvania, 
Waj-ne  County,  Ohio,  and  Richland  or  Lawrence  Coiinty, 
Illlinois. 

Children  of  Jon.\than  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts. 

86  Sarah  Potts,  b.  181 1;  d.  1845;  m.  John  Treece.    Children,  i  Wil- 

liam,  2  Enos,  3  Nelson,  4  Jonathan,  5  Julia  Ann,  6  Laban. 

87  John  Potts,  b.  Feb.  4,  1813;  m.  Mettall. 

88  Hetty  Potts,  b.  March  23,  1815;  d.  1879;   m.  Nicholas  Wierman. 

Children,    i  Relefia,   2  Jerusha,  3  Erastus,  4  Phebe,  5  Judson. 

89  Abraliam  Potts,  b.  Mar.  23,  1817;  d.  1867;  m.  Mary  Jane  Price. 

90  Isaac  Potts,    b.  April  13,  1819;   m.   ist,  Cynthia  A.  Neal;   m.  2d, 

Emeline  Lewis. 

91  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  July  10,  1821;  d.  1S49;  m.  Washinj:jton  Wood. 

92  Jacob  Potts,  b.  Nov.  29,  1823;  m.  Mary  Jane  Hart. 

93  Joshua  Potts,  b.  April  10,  1S26;  d.  1879;  ni.  Maria  Burns. 

94  Lucinda  Potts,  b.  Jan.  19,  1828;  ni.  John  Price. 

95  Wesley  Potts,  b.  Nov.  i,  1829;  d.  March  23,   184S;  unm. 

96  Joseph  Potts,  b.  May  23,  1832;  m.  Rebecca  .A.nn  Pitman. 

97  Thomas  Potts,  b.  May  31,  1837;  m.   Louisa  Pitman. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       321 

30    John  Potts,'  (John,'  Jonas, ^),  son  of  John  and  Su- 
san ( )  Potts,  married  Margaret  Kinder,  in  18 13,  in 

Jefferson  County,  Ohio. 

Chii.drkn  of  John  and  Margaret  (Kinder)  Potts, 

98  Jonathan  Potts,  m.  Theresa  Norris. 

99  Wesley  Potts,  m.  Bridget  Fagen. 

100  John  Potts,   b.  1S19;  m.  Sophia  Talbot, 

loi  Thomas  Potts,  m.  Mary  McCarty. 

£02  Mary  Potts. 

103  Margaret  Potts,  m.  Edward  Norris, 

ro4  Rosey  Potts,  m.  David  Devote, 

105  Jane  Potts. 

32    James  Potts,'  (John,'  Jonas,*),  son  of  John  and  Su' 

san  ( ■ — )  Potts,  was  born  about  1796,  it  said  near  the 

village  of  Hickory,  in  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  died,  1S80,  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio.  He  was  twice 
married  ;  first,  to  Nancy  Parkinson  ;  and  second,  to  Jane 
Maple. 

Chii:,dren  of  James  and  Nancy  (Parkinson)  Potts. 

106  Silas  Potts,  b.  1820;  d.  iSSo;  m.  Miriam  Pennock. 

107  James  Potts. 

108  Robert  G.  Potts,   b.  1824;  m.  Margaret  Irwin. 

109  David  Potts,  b.  1826;  d.  1875;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth  McClain;  m.  2d, 

Rebecca  McClain, 
no     Margaret  J.  Potts. 

111  Isaiah  Potts,  b.  1830;  m.  Margaret  J.  Schaeffer. 

CHir,DREN  of  James  and  Jane  (Mapi,e)  PoTTS. 

1 1 2  Elizabeth  Ellen  Potts. 

113  John  W.  Potts. 

114  Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Potts,  b.  1836;  d.  1887;  m.  Angelina  Jackson. 

115  Louis  M.  Pottc,  b.  1838;  m.  Lucinda  Cope. 

116  Elvira  Potts,  b.  1840;  m.  Samuel  Huston. 

117  Mary  E.  Potts,  b.  1S42;  m.  William  Duncan. 

118  Atilda  Potts,  b.  1844;  m.  James  Miller. 

119  Wilson  S.  Potts;  b.  1846;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth  Wisdon;   m.  2d,  Ma- 

ry Wisdon. 

120  Dr.  Albert  R.  Potts,  b.  1S.19;  m.  Rebecca  Ralston. 

41 


322  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

33     David  Potts,'  (John,^  Jonas/),    son   of  John   and 

Susan  ( )  Potts,  was  born  in  1807,  and  was  a  twin 

brother  with  Thomas.  He  settled  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio, 
and  married  Rachel  Wiggins.  The  names  of  only  two  of 
his  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  have  been  furnished. 

Children  ok  David  and  Rachei<  (Wiggins)  Potts. 

121  I.  W.  Potts.     Residence,  Carrollton,  Ohio. 

122  Martha  Potts,  b.  1S43;  d.  1SS8;  m.  James  George.    Six  children. 

38     David  Potts,'  (Jonas,*  Jonas,'),    son  of  Jonas  and 

Hannah  ( )  Potts,  was  probably  born  in  Washington 

County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  continued  to  reside  for 
many  years.  His  wife's  name  was  Amelia.  In  1829,  and 
again  in  1855,  they  join  in  signing  deeds  for  the  sale  of 
lands  in  Hanover  township.  They  are  said  to  have  moved 
from  the  State.     No  children  have  been  reported. 

40  Jonas  Potts,' (Jonas,*  Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas  and 
Hannah  ( )  Potts,  was  a  resident  of  Hanover  Town- 
ship, Washington  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  married 
Lydia  Jackson,  daughter  of  William  Jackson,  formerly  of 
Cecil  County,  Maryland. 

Children  of  Jonas  and  Lvdi.\  (Jackson)  Potts. 

123  William  Jackson  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1S98;  m.  Margaret  Ward. 

47  Jonathan  Potts,'  (Nathan,*  Jonas,'),  son  of  Jonas 
and  Mary  (Chamblin)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  20,  1799,  near 
Florence,  Washington  County,  Penusj-lvania,  and  died  Sep. 
4,  1880,  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio.  He  married  Rebecca 
McMillan. 

Jonathan  Potts  left  some  very  interesting  memoranda,  in 
the  form  diaries,  being  in  substance  an  autobiography,  cov- 
ering his  school  days  and  a  further  period  to  about  1835. 
These  memoranda  are  contained  in  about  forty  small  vol- 


JoNus  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       323 

uraes,  and  are  a  mixture  of  daily  doings,  comments  and  rec- 
ord of  business  transaclions.  His  account  of  his  school 
days,  at  Bricelands  Cross  Roads,  [now  Florence,]  is  quite 
interesting-.  From  1823  to  1831,  he  was  engaged  as  a  trav- 
eling book-seller,  covering  western  Penns3'lvania  and  east- 
ern Ohio.  He  carried  his  wares  in  a  two-horse  wagon.  In 
this  business  he  was  either  a  partner  or  employee  of  James 
Turnbull,  of  Steubenville,  Ohio.  On  quitting  this  business 
he  retired  to  a  farm  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio. 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Rebecca  (McMillan)  Porrs. 

124  Thomas  Lincoln  Potts.  He  was,  for  some  years,  engaged  in  the 
drug  business,  at  East  Liverpool,  Ohio,  and  later  has  been  a 
commercial  traveler. 


54  John  Potts,'  (Joshua,*  Jonas,'),  son  of  Joshua  and 
Milly  (Suver)  Potts,  Aprils,  1802,  and  died  Nov.  14,  1850, 
in  Lawrence  County,  Illinois.  He  married  Rhoda  Black. 
She  was  born  April  26,  1801. 

Children  of  John  and  Rhoda  (  Black  )  Potts. 

125  Martin  Potts,  b.  Feb.  4,  1822;  m.  Martha  Hussey. 

126  Mary  Ann  Potts,  b.  Dec.  27,  1S23;  m.  ist,  James  Sweeny.    Chil- 

dren, I  John,  2  Emily,  3  Erastus.  Married,  2d,  Lemon  Pool. 
Children,  4  James,  5  Mary  A.,  6  Joseph  F.,  7  Lemon  Harvey, 
S  Peter  A.,  9  William  Horace,   10  Charles  B. 

127  William  Potts,  b,  Nov.  9,  1825;  d.  Dec.  24,  1825. 

128  Erastus  Potts,   b.  Nov.  7,  1S26;  d.  1874;  m. . 

129  Sarah  Potts,  b.  March  5,  1829;  m.  L.  W.  Gee.     Children,   i  Ma- 

ry, E.,  2  Sylvester  J.,  3  Johu  M.,  4  Amelia  M.,  5  Emma  F. 

130  Harrison  Potts,  b.  Jan.  17,  1831;  m.  Mary  Ann . 

131  John  Potts,  b.  Sep.  25,  1833;  d.  0&..  15,  1S33. 

132  Harriet  Potts,  b.  Sep.  15,  1836;  d.  Sep.  15,  1836. 

133  Peter  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  19,  1837;  d.  Oct.  22,  1837. 

134  Pamelia  Potts,  b.  August  2,  1839;  d.  August  24,  1839. 

135  Emily  C.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  iS,  1S40;  d.  Odl.  30,  1850. 

136  Francis  Potts,  b.  Aug.  12,  1S43;  d.  Nov,  27,  1S43. 

56     David  Potts,'  (Joshua,'  Jonas,'),  son  of  Joshua  and 

Milly  (Suver)   Potts,    was   born  June  22,  1 811,    in   Fred- 


324  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

erick  County,  Virginia,  and  died  Sep.  24,  1866,  in  Illi- 
nois. He  married,  first,  Mrs.  Martha  Ciscle,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Underwood,  March  18,  1841,  in  Wabash  County, 
Illinois.     He  married,  second,  Hannah  Jane  Ramsay,  also 

a  widow,  January  31,  1858     She  married  Lutz,  as 

her  third  husband.  David  Potts  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
from  1846  to  1862, 

Children  of  David  and  Martha  (Underwood)  Potts. 

137  Andrew  Jackson  Potts,  b.  Dec.  14,  1841;  d.  Jan.  20,  1845. 

138  Benjamin  F.  Potts,  b.  Odl,  14,  1843;  d.  Aug.  22,  1858. 

139  Milla  Melissa  Potts,  b.  Dec  7,  1846;  m.  William  McCroskey. 

140  David  Potts,  b.  Sep.  9,  1849;  m.  Nancy  Jane  Runyan. 

141  Oliver  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  29,  1855;  d.  Dec.  7,  1855, 

Chii^drSn  of  David  and  Hannah  J.  (Ramsay)  Potts. 

142  John  Crittendon  Potts,  b.  Dec.  3,  1858;  d.  June  28,  i860. 

143  Felicita  C.  Potts,   b.  Dec.  21,  1S60. 

144  Hannah  Laura  Potts,  b.  June  9,  1863. 

145  Joshua  Dorsey  Potts,  b.  0<5t.  13,  1865;  d.  March  28,  1868. 

57  Joshua  Potts,'  (Joshua,*  Jonas,'),  .son  of  Joshua  and 
Milly  (Suver)  Potts,  was  born  March  27,  1814,  and  died  in 
1874.  He  married,  first,  Rebecca  Harvout,  daughter  of 
I.saac  Harvout,  of  Richland  County,  Ohio.  They  removed 
to  Lawrence  County,  Illinois.  He  married,  second,  Laura 
Colloson  ;  and  third,  Maryetta  Couch.  The  two  younger 
children,  named  below,  seem  to  have  been  by  the  second  or 
third  wife. 

Children  of  Joshua  and  Rebecca  (Harvout)  Potts. 

146  Benton  Potts,  b.  June  26,  1842.     Residence,  Edgerton,  Mo. 

147  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  Feb.  13,  1844. 

148  Harriet  Potts,  b.  March  30,  1845;   m.  Daniel  Shroyer. 

149  William  H.  Potts,  b.  OA.  10,  1S48. 

150  Mary  Jane  Potts,  b.  Feb.  16,  1851;  m.  Charles  Beamus. 

151  John  H.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  16,  1853. 

152  Lawrance  Potts,  b.  March  20,  1855. 

153  Thomas  Potts,  b.  1857;  m.  Sarah  Potts,  (250). 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       325 

154  Joshua  Clinton  Potts. 

155  Amer  Potts. 


60  Thomas  Potts,'  (Noah,'  Jona.s,^),  son  of  Noah  and 
Barbara  (Heckathorn)  Potts,  was  born  in  1800,  probably 
in  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Nancy  Potts, 
(46),  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Chamblin)  Potts, 
August  20,  181 7.  They  had  sixteen  children,  but  a  com- 
plete list  has  not  been  furnished.  Residence,  Beaver  Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania. 

Chii,dre;n  of  Thom.\s  and  Nancy  (Potts)  Potts. 

156  Nathan  Potts,  b.  1819;  d.  Feb.  4,  1S81;  m.  Eliza  Pendleton. 

157  Thomas  Potts. 
15S    John  Potts. 

159  Mary  Potts. 

160  Lucinda  Potts. 

161  Lynda  Potts. 

162  Julia  Ann  Potts,  m. Boal. 

62  James  Potts, '  (Noah,*  Jonas, 0,  son  of  Noah  and 
Barbara  (Heckathorn)  Potts,  was  born  in  1804,  Probably  in 
Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  married,  first,  Amelia 
Potts,  (49),  a  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Chamblin) 
Potts,  about  1 82 1.  She  was  born  April  8,  1803  ;  and  died 
March  10,  1831.     James  married,  second,  Nancy . 

On  Sep.  12,  1 82 1,  James  Potts  purchased  from  his  father, 
200  acres  of  land,  called  Coalbajik,  on  the  Ohio  River.  In 
1837,  James  Potts  and  Nanc}',  his  wife,  signed  a  deed  for 
the  sale  of  125  acres  of  land,  in  Greene  Township,  Beaver 
County,  at  the  jundtion  of  Potts  Run  and  the  Ohio  River. 

Children  of  James  and  Amelia  (Potts)  Potts. 

172  Sarah  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  1S22. 

173  Polly  Potts,  b.  1S24. 

174  James  Potts,  b.  1826. 

175  Noah  Potts,  b.  1828. 

176  Robert  Potts,  b.  1831. 


326  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

64  David  Potts,'  (Noah,*  Jonas,'),  son  of  Noah  and 
Barbara  (Heckathorn)  Potts,  was  born  Oct.  9,  1809,  proba- 
bly in  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Sarah 
Hart.     Residence,  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania. 

ChiIvDren  of  David  and  Sarah  (Hart)  Potts. 

177  Grace  Potts,  b.  Nov.  11,  1S24. 

178  Richard  Potts,  b.  Feb.  5,  1827. 

179  Barbara  Potts,  b.  0<5l.  10,  1830. 

180  Betsey  Potts,  b.  Feb.  14,  1839. 

181  David  Potts,  b.  Feb.  27,  1841. 

182  Joseph  Potts,     U.  Jan.  13,  1S43. 

183  John  Potts,         1 

184  James  Potts,  b.  Feb.  10,  1845. 

185  Thomas  Potts,  b.  July  6,  184S. 


70  Milton  Potts,*  (David,'  David,' Jonas,'),  son  of  Da- 
vid and  Rachel  (Morris)  Potts,  was  born  1839.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  Cowan,  in  1859.  She  died  in  1883.  Residence, 
Amanda,  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 

Chii^dren  of  Milton  and  Mary  (Cowan)  Potts. 

186  David  Potts,  b.  i860. 

187  Samuel  Potts,  b.  1862. 

188  Mary  Potts,  b.  1864. 
1S9    James  Potts,  b.  1S66. 

190  Charles  Potts,  b.  1868. 

191  John  Potts,  b.  1870. 

192  Ellie  Potts,  b.  1S73. 

72  Charles  Potts,*  (David,'  David,'  Jonas,'),  son  of 
David  and  Rachel  (Morris)  Potts,  married  Almira  Hemp- 
hill about  1868.     She  died  1871. 

Children  of  Charles  and  Almira  (Hemphill)  Potts. 

193  George  Potts,  b.  1S69. 

194  Lillian  Potts,  b.  1871. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       327 

74  Jonathan  Smith  Potts,*  (Samuel  L. ,'  Jonathan,* 
Jonas,'),  son  of  Samuel  L,. ,  and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Potts, 
was  born  May  i,  1828.  He  married  Nanc}^  Vandegraft, 
daughter  of  Rezin  and  Abigail  Vandegraft,  Aug.  23,  1853. 
Residence,  Kansas  City,  Missouri.     Occupation,  merchant. 

Children  of  Jonathan  Smith  and  Nancy  (Vandegraft)  Potts. 

195  Virginia  Potts,  b.  Dec.  31,  1854;  d.  Sep.  26,  1856. 

196  Teddy  Potts,  b.  March  9,  1856. 

197  Theodore  S.  Potts,  b.  Odlober  21,  1S58. 

198  Robert  W.  Potts,  b.  October  22,  i860;  d.  Dec.  24,  1873. 

199  Viola  P.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  iS,  1862. 

200  Mary  J.  Potts,  b.  March  26,  1864. 

201  Minnie  C.  Potts,  b.  May  t,  1866. 

202  Maggie  M.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  19,  1868. 

203  Eugene  U.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  20,  1870. 

204  Eva  L.  Potts,  \  y^  ^^^^^^  ^^^  jS^^.    ( 

205  Ida  Potts,  •  t  d.  March  25,  1873. 
106  Ella  F.  Potts,  b.  May  24,  1S75. 

207     Lizzie  A.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  19,  1877. 

77  William  O.  Potts,<  (Samuel  L.,'  Jonathan, *  Jo- 
nas,'), son  of  Samuel  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Potts,  was 
born  Sep.  19,  1836.  He  married  Ella  F.  Wharton,  daugh- 
ter of  George  L.  and  Rebecca  Wharton,  June  27,  187 1. 
Occupation,  merchant.     Residence,  Cadiz,  Ohio. 

When  a  j^oung  man,  he  clerked  in  his  father's  store,  and 
taught  school.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  126th  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteers,  and  was  made  Orderly  Sergeant  in  Co.  A. 
He  served  in  the  compaign  of  Virginia,  and  at  the  Battle 
of  Gettysburg.  In  November,  1863,  he  was  sent  to  the  Col- 
umbian Hospital,  Washington  City,  completely  broken 
down,  where  he  remained  until  April,  1864,  when  he  was 
discharged  as  unfit  for  service.  After  returning  home  he 
served  for  sometime,  as  Clerk  in  the  Office  of  the  Provost 
Marshal  of  his  District.  Subsequently,  from  1865  to  1S73, 
he  served  Harrison  County,  first  as  Deputy  Auditor  and 
afterward  as  Auditor,  each,  one  term  of  four  years. 


328  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Children  of  William  O.  and  Ella  F.  (Wharton)  Potts. 

208  William  Walter  Potts,  b.  January  25,  1873. 

209  Howard  Hathaway  Potts,  b.  January  18,  1875. 

210  Maggie  Reed  Potts,  b.  0(flober  22,  1879. 

87  John  Potts/  (Jonathan,' John,' Jonas,')  son  of  Jon- 
athan and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  Feb.  4,  1813. 

He  married Metcalf ,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Hannah 

Metcalf,  of  Wayne  County,  Ohio.      Residence,  Corunna, 
DeKalb  County ,~  Indiana. 

Children  of  John  and —  (Metcalf)  Potts. 

211  Almira  L.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  24,  1834;  d.  Jan.  24,  1855. 

212  Hannah  E.  Potts,  b.  August  11,  1836;  m.  Albert  Buchanan. 

89  Abraham  Potts/  (Jonathan,*  John,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  April  23, 
1817,  and  died  February  13,  1867.  He  married  Mary  Jane 
Price,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  Price.  She  was 
born  0(5lober  27,  1821.  Abraham  Potts  was  a  farmer.  He 
served  several  years  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Residence, 
Wabash  County,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Abraham  and  Mary  Jane  (Price)  Potts. 

213  Caroline  Potts,  b.  Sep.  14,  1841;  m.  Levi  Keen. 

214  Ethan  Potts,  b.  May  9,  1843;  ^-  J^me  Bartholomew. 

215  Emeline  Potts,  b.  August  17,  1845;  d.  April  20,  1884. 

216  Relefia  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1848. 

217  Mary  Jane  Potts,  b.  March  28,  1S54;  m.  Warren  Tedric. 
21S  Amanda  Potts,  b.  oaober  28,  1858. 

90  Isaac  Potts,*  (Jonathan,' John,' Jonas,'),  son  of  Jon- 
athan and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  April  13, 
1819.  He  married,  first,  Cynthia  Ann  Neal,  Mar.  8,  1846. 
She  was  born  July  11,  1820,  and  died  May  25,  1855.  He 
married,  second,  Emeline  Lewis,  Sep.  16,  1855.  She  was 
born  May  25,  1823.  Residence,  Lawrence  Comity,  Illinois. 
He  filled  the  oflEice  of  Probate  Judge  of  the  County  for  over 
twenty  years. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.        329 

Children  of  Isaac  axd  Cvxthia  Ax.v  (Neal)  Potts. 
219     Mary  Jane  Potts,  b.  Feb.  2,  1847;  m.  John  R.  Wright. 
.220     Adaiine  Potts,    b.  Feb.  6,  1849;    d.  May  8,  1878;   m.  George  \V. 
Greenlee. 

221  Wesley  Winfield  Potts,  b.  Aug  30,  1851;  d.  Sep.  5,  1854. 

222  Laura  Ann  Potts,  b.  Feb,  17,  1853;  m.  James  A.  Price. 

Chtldrex  of  Isaac  axd  Emelixe  (  Le\\t:s)  Potts. 

223  Rosella  Potts,  b.  Sep.  30,  1856;  m.  Walter  Gray. 

224  Martha  Ellen  Potts,  b.  Feb.  27,  1858;  m.  Da\-id  R.  Fish. 

225  William  Curtis  Potts,  b.  Sep.  28,  1859;  m.  Clara  Rawlings. 

226  Sherman  Hays  Potts,        K    -^i^     .    jS62-    i  d.  Oclober  16,  1862. 

227  Norman  Sheridan  Potts>  >     '  ^  '  '    <-  d.  Ocl.  22,  1862. 
22S  Edward  Marshall  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  11,  1863. 

229  Hardin  Livingston  Potts,  b.  Jul}'  17,  i866. 

230  Emma  Amelia  Potts,  b.  Sep.  12,  1S68;  m.  George  H.  Tewalt. 

231  Jemima  Potts,  )  ^_    ,^p^l  ^6.  1872;  {  ^-  ^"^P"^  ^^'  ^^' '• 

232  Eliza  Jerusha  Potts,  '  •- 


92  Jacob  Potts,**  (Jonathan, '  John,-  Jonas,*)  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  29, 
1823,  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio.  He  married  Mary  Jane 
Hart,  daughter  of  Miles  and  Elizabeth  Hart,  June  6,  1847, 
in  Spencer  County,  Indiana.  Occupation,  farmer.  Resi- 
dence, Price,  Lawrence  County,  Illinois.  He  filled  the  of- 
fice of  County  Commissioner  for  a  period  of  five  years. 

Children  of  Jacob  axd  Mary  J  axe  (Hart)  Potts. 

233  Miles  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1848;  m.  Cynthia  Shroyer. 

234  Harriet  Potts,  b.  June  2,  1849:  m.  Eleon  Waters. 

235  John  Potts,  b.  April  -,  1851;  d.  April  16,  18S2;  m.  Nancy  Jones. 

236  Josephine  Potts,  b.  Dec.  15,  1S53;  d.  Dec.  23,  1874. 

237  Fremont  Potts,  b.  June  30,  1S56;  m.  Adaiine  Jones. 
23S  Jacob  Potts,  b.  May  25,  1858;  d.  June  S,  1S5S. 

239  Emma  Jane  Potts,  b.  Sep.  18,  1859;  d.  April  2,  1S61. 

240  Maria  Potts,  b.  Nov.  15,  1861;  d.  1S88. 

241  Olive  Potts,   b.  Nov.  26,  1S66. 

242  Eveline  Potts,    b.  April  23,  1S71. 


*  XOTE.    The  compiler  of  this  work  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Jacob  Potts  for  much  in- 
formation, concerning  this  branch  of  the  famil}-,  kindly  furnished  by  him. 

42 


330  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

93  Joshua  Potts/  (Jonathan,' John. ^  Jonas,*),  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  April  lo, 
1826,  and  died  March  18,  1879.  He  married  Maria  E. 
Burns,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Nancy  Burns,  of  Wabash 
County,  Illinois.     She  was  born  May  14,  1S32. 

Chii,dren  of  Joshua  and  Maria  E.  (Burns)  Potts 

243  Rebecca  Jane  Potts,  b.  Oil.  6,  1S50;  m.  James  Buchanan. 

244  Isaac  Newton  Potts,  b.  Dec.  28,  1858;  m.  Mary  Price. 

245  Laura  Ellen  Potts,  b.  August  27,  1861;  m.  Samuel  French. 

246  Joseph  Potts,  b.  May  28,  1865;  d.  August  24,  1S65. 

247  Mary  Alice  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1868. 

g5  Joseph  Potts/  (Jonathan,' John, ^  Jonas,'),  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  May  23, 
1832.  He  married  Rebecca  Ann  Pitman,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Sarah  Pitman,  of  Wabash  County,  Illinois.  She 
was  born  Dec.  i,  1833,  and  died  Nov.  11,  1879.  Occupa- 
tion, farmer.     Residence,  St.Francisville,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  A.  (Pitman)  Potts. 

248  Wesley  Potts,  b.  April  17,  1856;  m.  Mary  Frances  Kimble.    N.I. 

249  Mary  Jane  Potts,  b.  0(51.  11,  1S58;  m.  George  Johnson. 

250  Sarah  Potts,  b.  Feb.  26,  i860;  m  Thomas  Potts,  (153). 

251  Elmer  Potts,  b.  June  7,  1862;  m.  Mary  Root. 

252  Joseph  Potts,  b.  Dec.  16,  1864;  m.  Edna  Smith. 

253  William  H.  Potts,  b.  Februrry  8,  1S68. 

254  Harriet  Josephine  Potts,  b.  August  6,  1875. 

97  Thomas  Potts, ^  (Jonathan,'  Johu,^  Jonas,'),  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Triplet)  Potts,  was  born  May  31, 
1837.  He  married  Eouisa  Pitman,  daughter  of  William 
and  Sarah  Pitman,  of  Wabash  County,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Louisa  (Pitman)  Potts. 

255  Priscilla  Potts. 

256  Harriet  p;ilen  Potts. 

257  John  Stephen  Potts. 

258  Anne  Potts. 


JoxAs  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.        331 

100  John  Potts,*  (John,' John, 2  Jonas, 0,  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Kinder)  Potts,  was  born  in  18 19.  He  mar- 
ried Sophia  Talbot,  in  Perry  County,  Ohio.  She  was  of 
the  Talbot  family  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  The  name  of 
only  one  child  has  been  furnished. 

Children  of  Johx  and  Sophia  (Talbot)  Potts. 

259  Jerome  Potts.     Residence,  Sugar  Grove,  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 

108  Robert  G.  Potts,*  (James,'  John,^  Jonas,'),  son  of 
James  and  Xancy  (Parkinson)  Potts,  was  born  1824.  He 
married  Margaret  Irwin.     Residence,  Salineville,  Ohio. 

Childrkn  of  Robert  G.  and  Margaret  (Irwix)  Potts. 

260  Anna  Potts,   b.  1849. 

261  Verlinda  Potts,   b.  1S50. 

262  James  Potts. 

263  Nellie  Potts. 

264  Frank  L.  Potts. 

265  Cora  Potts. 

266  William  H.  Potts. 


114  Gen.  Benjamin  Franklin  Potts,*  (James,' John, ^ 
Jonas,*),  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Maple)  Potts,  was  born 
January  29,  1S36,  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio,  and  died  June 
17,  1887,  at  Helena,  Montana.  He  married  Angeline  Jack- 
son.    No  children. 

He  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  as  a 
student  in  Westminster  College,  New  Wilmington,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
1859,  opening  an  office  at  Carrollton,  in  his  native  County. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  was  a  delegate  to 
the  Democratic  convention  at  Charleston  in  i860,  being  a 
staunch  supporter  of  Stephen  A.  Douglass.  On  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  Civil  War,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  and  was 
elected  and  commissioned  a  Captain  in  the  32  Regiment,  O. 
\'ol.  Inf.     On  Dec.  2,  1862,   he  vras  commissioned  a  Lieu- 


332  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

tenant  Colonel,  and  on  the  25tli  of  the  same  month  a  fnll 
Colonel.  Without  giving-  details  of  his  long  service,  it  may 
be  mentioned  that  he  participated  in  the  Vicksburg  Campaign 
and  in  "Sherman's  March  to  the  Sea."  Early  in  1865,  he 
was  commissioned  a  Brigadier  General.  Sub.sequently  he 
was  made  a  Brevet  Major  General,  and  also  recommended 
to  a  Colonelcy  in  the  Regular  Service.  He  was  mustered 
out  of  service  January  15,  1866. 

On  his  return  to  civil  life,  he  resumed  the  pradlice  of  law. 
Subsequently  he  filled  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Carrollton,  and 
represented  his  Dis'ridt  in  the  State  Senate.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  Montana  bj^  President  Grant,  and  en- 
tering upon  these  duties  in  1870,  honorably  and  faithfully 
discharged  them  for  thirteen  years.  He  was  a  man  of 
fine  physique  and  presence,  being  six  feet  and  one  inch  in 
height  and  weighing  two  hundred  and  thirty  pounds,  and 
a  person  of  great  muscular  strength  and  energy.* 

119  Wilson  S.  Potts, ^  (James, 3  John,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
James  and  Jane  (Maple)  Potts,  was  born  1846.  He  studied 
law  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan  ;  was  Superintendent  of  Pub- 
lic Schools  of  Salineville,  Ohio  ;  Prosecuting  Attorney  of 
Columbiana  County  ;  and  for  many  3^ears  has  been  the  edi- 
tor and  publisher  of  77/*?  Ohio  Patriot.  Residence.  Lisbon, 
Ohio,  He  married,  first,  Elizabeth  Wisdon  ;  and  second, 
Mary  Wisdon.     Names  of  children  not  reported. 

123  William  Jackson  Potts, ^  (Jonas,*  Jonas, ^  Jonas,'), 
son  of  Jonas  and  Eydia  (Jackson)  Potts,  was  born  in  1814, 
in  Hanover  Township,  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  died  March  16,  1898.  He  married  Margaret  Ward, 
daughter  of  James  Ward,  of  Eldersville,  in  the  same  Coun- 
ty.    He  was  a  farmer  and  occupied  the  farm  formerly  owned 

*  Note.  For  a  more  complete  account  of  Gen.  Totts'  war  record,  see  Whitclaw 
Keid's  work,  "Ohio  iu  the  War,"  Volume  I,  page  S98,  edition  of  1S6S. 


Jonas  Potts,  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.       333 

bj'  his  grandfather,  William  Jackson,  one  half  mile  north  of 
Florence.  When  advancing  j-ears  made  it  longer  impossi- 
ble to  continue  in  active  business,  he  and  his  wife  retired  to 
a  comfortable  home  in  the  village  of  Florence,  where  he 
spent  the  last  j'ears  of  his  life.  His  remains  were  buried  in 
the  churchyard  of  Cross  Roads  Presbyterian  Church  of 
which  he  had  long  been  a  consistent  member.  His  wife 
survives  him. 

Children  of  William  Jackson  and  Margaret  (Ward)  Potts. 
267     Ruemah  Potts,  m.  Dr.  W.  F.  Pollock.     Residence,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 
26S     William  Jackson  Potts,  b.  1S47;  d.  1895;  m.  Mary  Andrews. 

269  Jerome  Potts,  m.  Lizzie  H.  Stevenson.     Residence,  Florence,  Pa. 

270  Dr.  James  Albin  Potts,  b.  1852;  m.  Frances  Wilson  McGahan. 

125  Martin  Potts,*  (John,*  Joshua, ^  Jonas, ^),  son  of 
John  and  Rhoda  (Black)  Potts,  was  born  February  4,  1822. 
He  married  Martha  Hussey.  She  was  born  in  1833.  Resi- 
dence, St.  Francisville,  Ivawrence  County,  Illinois. 

Children  of  Martin  and  Martha  (Hussey)  Potts. 

271  Emily  Potts,  b.  Feb.  15,  1852. 

272  Rhoda  Potts,   b.  1S54;  d.  1863. 

273  Charles  Potts,  b.  1856. 

274  Martha  Potts,   b.  1S58. 

275  Ada  Potts,  b.  1S61. 

276  Harriet  Potts,  b.  1864. 

277  Ella  Potts,  b.  186S. 

278  John  Potts,  b.  1S70. 

125  Erastus  Potts, ,<  (John,' Joshua, 2  Jonas, 1),  sou  of 
John  and  Rhoda  (Black)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  7,  1S26, 
and  died  1874.     He  married . 

Children  of  Erastus  and  ( )  Potts. 

279  Mary  Potts. 

280  John  Potts. 

281  Emma  Potts. 

282  Hurlbert  Potts. 
2S3     Elza  Potts. 


334  '^HE  Potts  Family  in  America. 

130  Harrison  Potts,*  (John,' Joshua,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
John  and  Rhoda  (Plack)  Potts,  was  born  January  17,  1831. 

He  married  Mary  Anne .     She  was  born  December 

24,  1838. 

Children  of  Harrison  and  Mary  Anne  ( —)  Potts. 

284  Francis  Marion  Potts,  b.  May  i,  1857. 

285  William  H.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  29,  1861. 

286  Bessie  Potts,  b.  Dec.  13,  1S63. 

287  Martha  J.  Potts,  b.  Sep.  2r,  1865. 

288  Robert  Potts,  b.  061.  2,  1S66. 

289  Daniel  H.  Potts,  b.  Feb.  17,  1870. 

290  Charles  C.  Potts,  b.  March  11,  1S72. 

291  Thomas  J.  Potts,  b.  Feb.  26,  1874. 

292  Cora  Evaline  Potts,   b.  July  21,  1876. 

140  David  Potts,*  (David,'  Joshua,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
David  and  Martha  (Underwood)  Potts,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 9,  1849.  He  married  Mary  Jane Runyan  Aug.  II,  1873. 
Occupation,  merchant.     Residence,  Vincennes,  Indiana. 

Children  of  David  and  Mary  Jane  (Runyan)  Potts. 

293  Randall  Potts,   b.  Sep.  13,  1875. 

294  A  daughter. 

153  Thomas  Potts,*  (Joshua,' Joshua,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
Joshua  and  Rebecca  (Harvout)  Potts,  was  born  1857.  He 
married  Sarah  Potts,  (250),  daughter  of  Joseph  (96)  and 
Rebecca  A.  (Pitman)  Potts.  She  was  born  Feb.  26,  i860. 
Residence,   Evansville,  Indiana. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Potts)  Potts. 

295  Lutie  Potts. 

296  Barton  Potts. 

156  Nathan  Potts,*  (Thomas,'  Noah,*  Jonas,'),  son  of 
Thomas  and  Nancy  (Potts)  Potts,  was  born  18 19,  and  died 
Feb.  4,  1 88 1.  He  married  Eli/.a  Pendleton.  Occupation, 
merchant.     Residence,  Wellsburg,  West  Virginia. 


Jonas  Potts,  LtOUdoun  County,  Virginia.       335 

Children  of  Nathan  and  Eliza  (Pendleton)  Potts. 
297     Jasper  Potts,     Residence,  Wellsburg,  W.  Va. 

29S     Catharine  Potts,  m.  Alney, 

299     Anne  Potts,  ni.  Wright. 


233  Miles  Potts, -^  (Jacob, ^  Jonathan,'  John, *  Jonas, ^), 
son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Jane  (Hart)  Potts,  was  born  March 
10,  1848.     He  married  Cynthia  Shroyer. 

Children  of  Miles  and  Cynthia  (Shroyer)  Potts. 

300  Burton  Potts. 

301  Jacob  Potts. 

302  Huldah  Potts. 

303  Claudius  Potts. 

235  John  Potts, -^  (Jacob,*  Jonathan, ^  John,^  Jonas, *), 
son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Jane  (Hart)  Potts,  was  born  June  2, 
1849,  and  died  April  16,  18S2.  He  married  Nancy  Jones, 
of  Pike  County,  Ohio. 

Children  of  John  and  Nancy  (Jones)  Potts. 

304  Emma  Jane  Potts. 

305  Grace  Pearl  Potts. 

237  Fremont  Potts, '^  (Jacob,*  Jonathan,'  John,'  Jo- 
nas,^) .son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Jane  (Hart)  Potts,  was  born 
January  30,  1856.     He  married  Adaline  Jones. 

Children  of  Fremont  and  Adaline  (Jones)  Potts. 

306  Emma  Potts. 

307  Lillian  Potts. 

251  Elmer  Potts, 5  (Joseph,*  Jonathan,' John,'' Jonas, ^), 
son  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  Ann  (Pitman)  Potts,  was  born 
June  7,  1862.  He  married  Mary  Root,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min and  Mary  Ann  Root,  Oct.  16,  1880,  at  St.  Franci.sville, 
Illinois. 


336  The  Potts  Famii^y  in  America. 

Children  ok  Elmer  and  Mary  (Root)  Potts. 

308  Benjamin  Potts,  b.  Sep.  10,  iSSr. 

309  Wesley  Potts,   b.  Nov.  11,  1884. 

268  William  Jackson  Potts,  Jr,^  (William  Jackson, 
Jonas, ^  Jonas, ^  Jonas,'),  son  of  William  Jackson  and  Mar- 
garet (Ward)  Potts,  was  born  1847,  and  died  July  21,  1895. 
He  married  Mary  Andrews,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Andrews. 
Residence,  Florence,  Pa. 

Child  of  W.  Jackson  and  Mary  (Andrews)  Potts. 

310  Orrin  A.  Potts. 

269  Jerome  Potts, 5  (William  Jackson,*  Jonas, ^  Jonas, 
Jonas, \),  son  of  William  Jackson  and  Margaret  (Ward) 
Potts,  married  Lizzie  H.  Stevenson,  daughter  of  Rev.  Ross 

and ( )  Stevenson.     Residence,  Florence,  Pa. 

Occupation,  farmer,  and  gardener.      No  children. 

270  Dr.  James  Albin  Potts, '^  (William  Jackson,*  Jo- 
nas, Jonas,*  Jonas,'),  son  of  William  Jackson  and  Marga- 
ret (Ward)  Potts,  was  born  Dec.  10,  1852.  He  married 
Frances  Wilson  McGahan,  daughter  of  Thomas  Brown  and 
Sarah  (Craig)  McGahan,  Ocl.  25,  18S8,  at  Johnstown,  Pa. 
Physician.     Residence,  Mt.  Washington,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Child  of  Dr.  James  A.  and  Frances  W.  (McG.\han)  Potts. 

311  Margaret  Frances  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1S92. 


Chart.  Two  generations  of  descendants  of  Jonas  Potts 
are  grouped  together  in  the  chart  or  pedigree  printed  upon 
the  next  page. 


Jonas  Potts,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia.    337 

A  Short  Pedigree  of  Jonas  Potts'  Family. 


-Jonas  Potts 
I  ±  Mary  - 


-David=Miny  Adams  ■ 


-Jonathan— Eliza'h  English — 


■Johu=Susan 


-Jonas=Hauu«h  • 


Miny=Jacob  Mowser 

Fanny  Potts 

Abby  =  David  Wolverton 
-James  Potts= 
-David=Rachel  Morris 

-Joshua=Catharine  Chayser 
-Thomas  +Rosana  Jackson 

2±  Elizabeth  Wallace 
-David  +  Susannah  Jackson 

2±  Margaret  Penny 
-John=Rebecca  Harris 
-Nathan  Potts 
-Anna  =  John  Goodwin 
-Jonas=Elizabeth  Johnson 
-Samuel  L.  =  Elizabeth  Barnes 
-Mary=Osmond  Ryan 
-Lydia  +  Thomas  Rowland 

2  ±John  Cain 
-William  T  Cecelia  Hurd 

2  ±  Mary  H.  Morris 
-Sarah  Potts 

-Jonathan=Elizabeth  Triplet 
-Jonas  Potts 

-John=Mars;aret  Kinder 
-Nathan  Potts 
-James  +  Nancy  Parkinson 

2±  Jane  Maple 
-David= Rachel  Wiggins 
-Thoraas=Catharine  Rond- 
-Sarah  Potts  [bush 

-Deborah  Potts 
-Margaret  Potts 


-David=Amelia  

-Jesse  Potts 
-Jouas=Lydia  Jackson 
-Samuel  Potts 
-Anna= Jonas  Sams 
■Carroll 


-Nathan=Mary  Chamblin- 


2=Mary  Hecka- 
[thorn- 


43 


-Joshua=Milly  Suver 


-Thomas=Mary  Martin 


-Noah=Barbara  Heckathorn- 


-=  Richard  Hart 


-Mary=Thomas  Spacht 
-William^vSarah  Huffman 
-Nancy  =  Thomas  Potts 
-Jonathan=Rebecca  McMil- 
-Sarah=John  Greene        [Ian 
-Amelia=James  Potts 

-Nathan=Amanda 

-Lorenza  Potts 
-Frederick  Potts 
-Elizabeth  Potts 

-John=Rhoda  Black 
-Eliza=Collins  Bushnell 
-David  +  Martha  Underwood 
2±  Hannah  J.  Ramsay 
-Joshua  +  Rebecca  Harvout 
2= Laura  Colloson 
3±Maryetta  Couch 
-Harriet=Thomas  Stringer 

Thompson 


-Sarah= 

-Thomas=Nancy  Potts 
-Polly  Potts 
-James  +  Amelia  Potts 

2±  Nancy 

-Rachel= Campbell 

-David=Sarah  Hart 
-Robert  Potts 
-Rebecca  Potts 


338  The  Potts  Family  in  America, 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky. 


1  JONATHAN  POTTS,'  born  1714,  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, is  believed  to  have  been  the  son  of  Jonas  Potts,  of  Phil- 
adelphia County,  Pennsylvania,  by  his  second  wife.  [See 
Chapter  VIII,  pages  220  to  230,  ante].  He  removed,  first, 
to  Virginia,  (supposed  to  Loudoun  County),  and  from 
there  to  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
The  meager  account  we  have  of  Jonathan  Potts  is  largely 
founded  upon  tradition,  communicated  b}^  aged  members  of 
the  family. 

In  1878,  Mr.  Edwin  H.  Potts,*  then  aged  sixty  nine 
years,  gave  the  writer  some  interesting  and  valuable  infor- 
mation, concerning  the  early  history  of  the  family.  Near- 
ly all  his  statements  have  since  been  verified  b}-  written 
records.  Among  other  things  he  stated  that  two  nephews 
[half  brothers]  of  his  ancestor,  David  Potts, — Jonas  Potts 
and  Jonathan  Potts  by  names, — after  living  in  Eoudoun 
County  for  some  time,  removed  to  the  west,  Jonas  settling 
in  western  Pennsylvania.  Since  then  Jonas  Potts,  who  set- 
tled in  western  Pennsylvania,  and  his  descendants,  have 
been  quite  fully  traced  and  the  result  given  in  Chapter 
XXI. 

In  the  year  1887,  Mr.  Joel  Potts,  of  Sharpsburg,  Il- 
linois, then  above  seventy  five  years  of  age,  and  a  grand- 
son of  Jonathan  Potts,  informed  the  writer  that  the  tradi- 
tions of  his  family  allege,   that  the  Potts  family  came  from 

*  Note,    For  the  record  of  Edwin  H.  Potts,  see  pages  303,  305  and  306,  ante. 


Jonathan  Potts,  oe  Kentucky.  339 

Wales  to  Pennsylvania  with  William  Penn  ;  that  the  emi- 
grant famil}'-  were  Quakers,  being  driven  from  Wales  by 
reason  of  the  religious  persecution  they  had  endured,  on  ac- 
count of  their  faith.  His  grandfather  removed  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  Virginia,  and  from  thence  to  Kentucky,  where 
the  family  endured  the  hardships  and  privations  incident 
to  frontier  life  and  the  hostility  of  the  Indians.  Other 
members  of  the  family  have  the  same  tradition  of  Welsh 
descent. 

Mr.  George  W.  Potts,  of  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  and 
fifth  in  descent  from  Jonathan  Potts,  has  in  his  possession 
an  old  Bible,  which  seems  to  have  originally  belonged  to 
his  ancestor,  the  said  Jonathan.  This  Bible  contains  nu- 
merous manuscript  entries  of  records  and  sometimes  mean- 
ingless scribbling.  The  book  is  in  a  very  dilapidated  con- 
dition, and  much  of  the  original  writing  is  either  partially 
or  wholly  faded  out.  It  would  seem  that  sometime  children 
may  have  made  a  plaything  of  the  book,  and  pradliced  in 
a  first  essay  at  penmanship  across  the  records.  Below  is 
given  all  that  can  be  deciphered  of  the  early  records  and  en- 
tries, which  have  any  bearing  on  the  early  history  of  the 
family.     On  the  first  fly-leaf  are  the  following  entries, 

John  Potts  his  Book  God  Giv  him  Grace  to  Look  there  on  1768 

Emey  Potts  Hur  Book 

John  Potts  his  Hand  and  pen 

Jonathan  Potts 

On  the  next  page  of  the  fly-leaf  is  what  seems  to  have 
been  an  original  record  of  births.  It  is,  from  its  appear- 
ance, the  earliest  writing  in  the  book,  but  is  now  only  par- 
tially legible  on  account  of  the  faded  ink,  and  later  careless 
scribbling  over  the  records.  So  far  as  decipherable,  this 
is  what  remains, 

Potts 
Nathan  Potts 
Amos  Potts  Born  Decmber  in  one  1743 


340  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Sarah  Potts  Born  January  19  Day  in  one  1745 

Potts  Born  in  febuary  28 

Potts  Born  april  23  Day  1767* 

Potts  born  July 
Ezekiel  Potts  Borne  September  third  at  ten  OClock  at  night  175S 

In  other  parts  of  the  book  are  found  these  further  ran- 
dom entries. 

Jonathan  Potts  Born  Day  of  the  month  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord  1714 

Omey  Potts  Wife  of  John  Potts  Born  June  19  day  1718 

Emey  Potts    and  nathan  Hur  Son 

1714 
1718 

Mrs  Emey  Potts  is  72  years  old  June  1790 

This  old  Bible  was  loaned  to  the  writer  hereof,  for  some- 
time, giving  him  the  opportunity  for  a  careful  study  of  the 
now  imperfe(5l  records.  He  was  led  to  believe  that  Jo7ia- 
than  and  John  were  used  as  synonymous  names  for  the 
same  person.  Whether  Emey  was  intended  for  Amy  or  Em- 
ma is  uncertain,  but  possibly  for  the  former,  as  this  name  re- 
curs as  the  name  of  a  granddaughter.  The  record  of  births, 
is  undoubtedly  that  of  the  children  of  Jonathan  and  Emej', 
as  the  latter  acknowledges  Nathan  Potts  as  her  son  in  one 
of  the  Bible  entries.  From  other  reliable  family  authority, 
it  is  learned  that  Jonathan  had  a  sou  David,  and  another 
daughter  beside  Sarah,  Jonathan  and  Emey  Potts  were 
probably  married  in  Penns5dvania.  Below  is  given  a  list 
of  children  so  far  as  possible.  It  is  worth  while  to  remark 
that  the  names  Jonathan,  Nathan,  David,  and  Ezekiel,  are 
duplicates  of  names  common  in  the  families  of  David  Potts, 
of  Philadelphia  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  David  Potts 
and  Jonas  Potts,  of  Loudoun  County,  Virginia. 


*  Note.    This  date  seems  to  be  jilainly  written  1767.    It  is  hardlj'  the  date  of 
birth,  unless  it  was  intended  for  1747.    It  may  be  the  date  of  a  death. 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Kextucky.  341 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Emey  ( )  Potts.* 

nz    Potts. 

3  Nathan  Potts. 

4  Amos  Potts,  b.  Dec.  — ,  17^. 

^     Sarah  Potts,   b.  Jan.—,  1745;  m.  Robert  Rowlatid. 

6  A  daugMer,  m . •v-  Burke,  of  Burkesville.     No  issne, 

7  David  Potts,    b.   1751;  dv  1S23;   m.   ist,  Elizabeth  Luna;   m,  2d, 

Martha  Short,   nee  Tiiies. 

8     Potts. 

9  Ezekiel  Potts,   b.  Sep.  5,  r75S. 


7     David    Potts, 2    (Jonathati,'),    son  o!  Jouatlian  and 

Emey  { )   Potts,  was  born  about   1751,  probably  in 

Philadelphia  County,  Penns^-lvania ;  and  died  1823,  in 
Mercer  County,  Kentuckj-.  He  settled  in  Mercer  Count}', 
and  engaged  in  farming.  He  suffered  much  from  the  in- 
cursions  of  hostile  Indians.  In  religious  persuasion  he  was 
a  Baptist.  He  learned  to  read  after  his  marriage,  and  then 
confined  his  reading  to  the  Bible.  He  married,  first,  Eliza- 
beth IvUna.  After  her  death,  and  when  he  was  about  sixt}' 
years  of  age,  he  married,  second,  Mrs.  Martha  Short,  a 
widow  with  two  children.     Her  maiden  name  was  Tines. 

Children  of  David  and  Eliz^abeth  (Luna)  Potts. 

10  Jeremiah  Potts,  m. 

11  Jonathan  Potts,  b.  Jan.  9,  1775;  d.  1S68;   m.  Bathsheba  Ballard. 

12  John  Potts,   b.  Nov.  16,  1782;  m.  Nancy  Wilson.     No  issue. 

13  Isaiah  Potts.  16  Mary  Potts.  iS    Amy  Potts. 

14  David  Potts.  17  Margaret  Potts.         19     Rebecca  Potts. 

15  Catharine  Potts. 

Child  of  David  and  Martha  (Tines)  Potts 

20    Joel  Potts,  b.  OcT:ober  26,  iSii  ;  m.  ist,  Sarah  Ann  Blizzard  ;  m. 
2d,  Mar}-  Ann  Clark;  m.  3d,  Ruth  Myers,  nee  Clark. 


*  Note.  Except  of  David,  very  little  information  of  the  children  of  Jonathan 
Potts  has  come  lo  notice.  Two  of  the  sons  are  said  to  have  been  drowned  in  the 
river  by  the  parting  of  a  raft.  Mr.  Joel  Potts  says  his  aunt  Sarah  married  Robert 
Rowland,  had  children  and  removed  to  Missouri'.  He  also  says  that  another  aunt, 
whose  name  he  had  forgotten,  married  a  man  named  Burke,  and  that  Burkesville. 
Kentucky,  took  its  name  from  him.  She  had  no  ciiildren,  and  is  said  to  have  lived 
to  the  great  age  of  115  years. 


342  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

10  Jeremiah  Potts,*  ( David, ^  Jonathan,'),  son  of  Da- 
vid and  Elizabeth  (Luna)  Potts,  settled  in  Union  County, 
Kentucky,  near  Morganfield.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  great 
hunter.  He  lived  to  a  great  age.  He  is  said  to  have 
reached  lOO  3^ears,     He  married  and  raised  a  family. 

Children  of  Jeremiah  and ( )  Potts. 

21  John  Potts.  24     David  Potts.  27     Jeremiah  Potts. 

22  R.  L.  Potts.  25    Jonathan  Potts.        28     Rebecca  Potts. 

23  Amos  PottSi  26    Joseph  Potts.  29     Lavinia  Potts. 

11  Jonathan  Potts,'  (David,*  Jonathan,'),  son  of  Da- 
vid and  Elizabeth  (Luna)  Potts,  was  born  January  9,  1775. 
Another  authority  gives  the  date  of  birth  as  May  30,  1776. 
He  is  said  to  have  heen  named  in  honor  of  his  grandfather. 
He  married,  first,  Bathsheba  Ballard,  daughter  of  Reuben 
and  Mary  Ballard,  Feb.  7,  1799.  He  married  a  second  time, 
but  the  name  of  the  latter  wife  has  not  been  given.  He 
died  Odlober  26,  1S68. 

Children  of  Jonathan  and  Bathsheba  (Ballard)  Potts. 

30  John  C.  Potts,   b.  April  11,  1800;  d.  July  19,  1S34. 

31  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  April  22,  1802. 

32  Reuben  Potts,  b.  April  17,  1803;  d.  March  7,  1847;  ^^-  Catharine 

Ashbrook. 

33  Isaiah  Potts,  b.  Jan.  8,  iSoS;  b.  Feb.  16,  18S6;   m.  Sarah  Burns. 

34  Ninian  E.  Potts,  b.  August  i,  1810;  m.  ist,  Emily  Robinsou;  m. 

2d,  Nancy  Stewart. 

35  Alexander  Potts,  b.  August  11,  1812;  d.  1817. 

36  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  Jan.  12,  1814,  m.  Edward  Smith.     Children,   i 

William  S.,    2  Eliza  Jane,    3  Reuben  A.,    4  Jonathan,  5  Nan- 
nie,   6  Columbus,    7  Calvin  C,    8  Richard  C,    9  Mary  S.,   10 
Fannie  E. 

37  Thomas  J.  Potts,  b.  August  10,  1817. 

20  Joel  Potts, 3  (David,'  Jonathan,'),  son  of  David  and 
Martha  (Tines)  Potts,  was  born  Odlober  20,  181 1,  in  Mer- 
cer Cotmty,   Kentucky.*      In  1850,  he  settled  in  Christian 


*  Note.    Tlie  compiler  received  much  valuable  information  from  Joel  Potts,  he 
being  the  oldest  surviving  member  of  this  branch  of  the  family. 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Kentucky.  343 

County,  Illinois,  near  Sharpsburg,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  married,  first,  Sarah  Ann  Blizzard  ;  second,  Mary- 
Ann  Clark  ;  and  third,  Mrs.  Ruth  Myers,  nee  Clark.  The 
latter  two  were  sisters.     He  died  July  19,  1898. 

CfiiLDREN  01?  JoEi.  AND  Sarah  Ann  (Bi^izzard)  Potts-. 

38  Louisa  Jane  Potts,  b.  Odtober  15,  1835;  d.  1847. 

39  Maria  Elizabeth  Potts,    b.  Sept.  5,  1837;    m.    William  B.  Davis, 

Children,    i  Flora  Evalilie,  2  George  Albert,  3  Joel  Jerome,  4 
Julian  Eugene. 

40  Nathan  C.  Potts,    b.  June  10,  1840;   d.  March  25,  1885;  m^  Ele- 

nora  Kemmerer, 

41  Gilbert  L.  Potts,  b.  August  8,  1841;  d.  y. 

42  William  A.  Potts,  b.  February  26,  1843;  d.  y. 

43  George  D.  Potts,    b.  July  17,  1845;   m.  ist,  Elnora  Langley;   m, 

2d,  Sarah  E.  Flynn. 

44  Cyrus  A.  Potts,  b.  June  22,  1847;  m.  ist  Florence  Miller;  m.  2d, 

Mary  E.  Maupin. 

45  Sarah  Catharine  Potts,  b.  November  28,  1S48;  d.  y. 


32  Reuben  Potts,*  (Jonathan,*  David,*  Jonathan,'), 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Bathsheba  (Ballard)  Potts,  was  born 
April  7,  1803,  and  died  March  7,  1837.  He  married  Cath- 
arine Ashbrook,  of  Bowling  Green.  He  was  a  cabinetmak- 
er and  a  successful  business  man. 

Chii,d  of  Reuben  and  Catharine  (Ashbrook)  Potts. 

46  George  W.  Potts,  b.  July,  22,  1845;  m.  Louisa  Keller  Minor. 

33  Isaiah  Potts,*  (Jonathan, ^  David,*  Jonathan,*),  son 
of  Jonathan  and  Bathsheba  (Ballard)  Potts,  was  born  Jan- 
uary 8,  1808,  and  died  February  16,  1886.  He  married 
Sarah  B.  Burris,  daughter  of  John  Burris,  of  Butler  Coun- 
ty. She  was  born  November  9,  1809,  and  died  March  9, 
1859,  Isaiah  removed,  in  1842,  from  Warren  County  to 
Union  County,  Kentucky,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 

Chii,dren  oe  Isaiah  and  Sarah  B.  (Burris)  Potts. 

47  Stanford  Potts,    b.  July  19,  1834. 

48  Bluford  Potts,  b.  April  15,  1836. 

49  Bedford  Potts,  b.  June  20,  1838. 


344  I^HE  Potts  Family  nsr  America. 

50  Columbus  Potts.  53     Ann  Elizabeth  Potts. 

51  John  T.  Potts.  54     Mary  Jane  Potts. 

52  William  Woodring  Pott.s..  55    Sarah  PottSv 


34  Ninian  E.  Potts,*  (Jonathan,^'  David, ^  Jonathan/)^ 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Bathsheba  (Ballard)  Potts,  was  born 
Aug".  I,  iSio.  He  married,  first,  Emily  Robinson,  daugh- 
ter of  John  I/.  Robinson,  of  Warren  County.  He  married, 
second,  Nancy  Stewart.     Occupation,  carpenter. 

Chii,d  of  Ninian  E.  and  Emil-y  (Robinson)  Potts. 

56  A  son  wlio  removed  to  Indiana. 

Children  of  Ninian  and  Na:n-cv  (Stewart)  Pdtts. 

57  Henry  Potts.       He  entered  the  Federal  army  during  the  Civil 

War  and  died  of  measles  in  1S63. 
5S    James  V.  Potts.     Accidentally  killed  by  the  fallin«j  of  a  tree. 

59  Nancy  Ann  Potts,  m.  John  S.  Lamb. 

40  Nathan  C,  Potts,*  (Joel,*  Da vid,^  Jonathan,^),  son 
of  Joel  and  Sarah  Ann  (Blizzard)  Potts,  was  born  June  10, 
1840,  and  died  March  25,  18-85.  He  married  Elnora  Kem- 
merer. 

Children  of  Nathan  C.  and  Elnora  (Kemmerer)  Potts. 

60  Charles  E.  Potts,  b.  November  10,  1S66. 

61  Almond  A.  Potts,  b.  September  21,  1868. 

62  Myron  E.  Potts,  b,  January  7,  1870. 

63  Luella  M.  Potts,  b.  July  2,  1871. 

64  Ada  Potts,  b.  September  9,  1872;  d.  July  28,  1873. 

65  Herbert  F.  Potts,  b.  December  13,  1874. 

66  Harvey  Joel  Potts,  b.  May  23,  1876. 

67  Joseph  C.  Potts,  b.  June  28,  1877. 

68  Archie  E.  Potts,  b.  January  8,  1879. 

69  Freeman  M.  Potts,  b.  June  9,  1880. 

70  Myrtle  E,  Potts,  January  6,  1882. 

71  Nathan  Clyde  Potts,  b.  May  21,  1884. 

43  George  D.  Potts,*  (Joel,' David, ^  Jonathan,^),  son 
of  Joel  and  Sarah  Ann  (Blizzard)  Potts,   was  born  July  17, 


Jonathan  Potts,  of  Kentucky.  345 

1845.  He  married,  first,  Elnora  Ivangley,  and  second,  Sa- 
rah E.  Fl3-nn.  Residence,  Sharpsburg,  Christian  County, 
i^tva.>Vs 

Children  ov  George  D.  and  Elnora  (Langley)  Potts, 

72  William  Albert  Potts,  b.  Nov.  17,  1867. 

73  Joel  Preston  Potts,  b.  May  17,  1869;  d.  y. 

74  Rufus  Monroe  Potts,  b.  Sep.  3,  1S70. 

75  Cyrus  Alvin  Potts,  b.  Jan.  18,  1873. 

76  Dempster  Orvil  Potts,  b.  March  15,  1S75. 

Children  of  George  D.  and  Sarah  E.  (Flvnn)  Potts. 

77  Tony  Roscoe  Potts,  b.  April  17,  1880. 

78  Lineal  Otis  Potts,  b.  March  15,  1SS4. 

44  Cyrus  A.  Potts,*  (Joel,'  David, ^  Jonathan,')  son  of 
Joel  and  Sarah  Ann  (Blizzard)  Potts,  was  born  June  22, 
1847.  He  married,  first,  Florence  Miller,  and  second,  Mary 
E.  Maupin.       Residence,   Atchison,   Kansas. 

Children  of  Cyrus  A.  and ( )  Potts. 

79  Elmer  Clarence  Potts,  b.  April  11,  1879. 

80  Claude  Henry  Potts,  b.  Oiftober  18,  1881. 


46  George  W.  Potts, ^  (Reuben,*  Jonathan,'  David, ^ 
Jonathan,'),  son  of  Reuben  and  Catharine  (Ashbrook) 
Potts,  was  born  July  22,  1845.  He  married  L,ouisa  Keller 
Minor,  a  native  of  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania.  Occupation, 
merchant.     Residence,  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky.* 

Children  of  George  W.  and  Louisa  Keller  (Minor)  Potts. 

81  William  Keller  Potts,  b.  1876. 

82  George  Eward  Potts,  b.  1884. 

83  Earnest  Potts,  b.  1885. 


*  Note.    George  W.  Potts  furnished  the  compiler  with  much  valuable  data,  in 
the  way  of  copies  of  Bible  records,  etc. 

44 


346 


The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


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John  Potts,  of  Path  Vallky.  347 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


John  Potts,  of  Path  Valley^  Pennsylvania. 


I  JOHN  POTTS,  is  said  to  have  been  born  in  1729, 
in  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  died  in  1785,  in  Pennsylvania.* 
He  was  educated  in  London,  and  prepared  for  the  ministry 
in  the  Church  of  England.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a 
schoolmate  and  fast  friend  of  King  George  III.  Being  too 
young  to  take  orders  in  the  Church,  he  was  placed  for  a 
time  in  his  uncle's  store  in  London.  Through  some  mis- 
hap he  lost  some  books  or  papers  belonging  to  his  uncle. 
He  took  the  matter  greatly  to  heart,  renounced  his  inten- 
tion to  take  clerical  orders,  and  applied  for  a  Commission  in 
the  Army.  He  was  appointed  a  topographic  engineer  un- 
der General  Braddock,  in  1750,  and  came  to  America.  He 
was  at  the  memorable  defeat  at  Duquesne,  and  escaped  the 
general  massacre,  but  his  servants  were  all  slain.  He  re- 
mained in  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  Path  Valley,  Cum- 
berland County, — now  included  in  the  western  part  of 
Franklin  County.  He  was  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
that  sedtion,  and  built  the  first  grist-mill  in  the  valley. 

It  is  alleged  that  the  English  Government  gave  him  the 
grant  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  but  shortly  after  the  opening 
of  the  Revolutionary  War,  he  became  mentally  deranged 
and  destroyed  his  patents,  deeds,  etc.  After  his  death,  his 
children  deemed  it  useless  to  press  any  claim  for  remunera- 
tion, the  Colonies  being  then  separated  from  Great  Britain. 
The  family  have  a  tradition  that  two  brothers  of  John  Potts 


*  Note.    The  account  of  John  Potts  is  altogether  traditional,  having  been  ob- 
tained from  John  Potts,  (ii)  his  grandson,  late  of  Moultou,  Iowa. 


348  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

came  to  America  and  that  one  of  them  settled  at  Pottsgrove. 
There  seems  to  be  nothing  to  support  this  tradition.  John 
Potts  married  Eli/.abeth  Stevens  about  1757. 

Chii.dren  or  John  and  Elizabeth  (Stevens)  Potts. 

2  Alexander  Potts,    b.   175S;   d.   1S33;  m.   ist,  Martha  Barnett;  m. 

2d,  Susan  Parsons. 

3  John  Potts,  m. . 

4  James  Potts.     He  is  said  to  have  removed  to  Ohio  and  settled  on 

the  Muskingum  River.* 

5  Robert  Potts.     He  was  a  millwright  and  is  said  to  have  died  at 

sea.     He  married  and  left  two  daughters  who  married  south- 
ern gentlemen,  slaveholders. 

6  Charlotte  Potts.  7     Hannah  Potts. 


2  Alexander  Potts, ^  (John,*),  sou  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Stevens)  Potts,  was  born  in  1757,  in  the  Fort  at  Car- 
lisle, and  died  in  1833.  He  was  a  miller  and  lived  in  Path 
Valley,  Franklin  County.  He  married,  first,  Martha  Bar- 
nett, daughter  of  James  and  Catharine  Barnett.  She  died 
Aug.  22,  1807.  He  married,  .second,  Susan  Parsons.  She 
was  btiried  at  Berlin,  Somerset  Count}'. 

Children  of  Alexander  and  Martha  (Barnett)  Potts. 

8  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  July  4,  1797;  d.  1874;  m.  John  Stitt,  1840. 

9  Catharine  Potts,  b.  Nov.  14,  1799;  d.  1875;   m.  John  Kunesman. 

10  Hannah  Potts,  b.  Aug.  2,  1801;  d.  1S60;  m.  Stephen  Wilkinson. 

11  John  Potts,  b.  Dec.  25,  1803;  d.  Nov.  6,  1886;   m.   ist,  Margaret 

Linn;    m.  2d,  Sarah  C.  Stitt. 

12  Martha  Potts,  b.  March  27,  i8g6;  d.  1S76;  m.  Samuel  Ow. 

Child  of  Alexander  and  Sus.a.n  (P.\r<5ons)  Potts. 

13  Rev.  Jephlhah  Potts,  b.  Jan.  8,  1809;  d.  1883;  m.  Marj-  Horn. 


3     John  Potts, 2    (John,'),    .son  of  John  and  lilizabeth 
(Stevens)  Potts,  married  and  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


*  Note.     In  1S03,  a  marriage  licen.se  was  granted  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  to  one 
Janie.s  Potts  and  Elizabeth  Roads.    This  may  or  may  not  have  been  the  above. 


John  Potts,  of  Path  Valley.  249 

Chii.dren  of  John  and ( )  PoTTS. 

14  Alexander  Potts.     Died  at  Philadelphia. 

15  John  Potts.     Died  at  Cincinnati. 

16  Joseph  Potts.     Is  said  to  have  been  a  Methodist  minister. 

17  Mary  Potts,  m.  Martha  Slough. 
iS     Hannah  Potts,  m.  Lewis. 


II  John  Potts,*  (Alexander,*  John,*),  son  of  Alexan- 
der and  Martha  (Barnett)  Potts,  was  born  Dec.  25,  1803, 
and  died  Nov.  6,  1886.  He  married,  first,  Margaret  Linn, 
in  1S29.  Pie  married,  second,  Sarah  C.  Stitt.  He  resided 
in  Franklin  County  until  1852,  when  he  removed  to  Moul- 
ton,  Appanoose  Count)',  Iowa.  He  was  Count)^  Survej^or 
and  a  Notary- Public  for  many  years,  and  was  latterly  con- 
necfted  with  the  fire  insurance  business. 

Children  of  John  and  Sar.a.h  C.  (Stitt)  Potts, 

19  Nancy  Martha  Potts,  b.  April  20,  1848;  m.  Henry  Bond,  1S70. 

20  John  Rittenhoiise  Sedman  Potts,   b.  Sep.  8,  1851. 

21  Juniata  Potts,  b.  Oct.  25,  1854;  m.  William  F.  Bevan. 

22  Margaret  Potts,   b.  1S57;  m.  GiflFord  M.  Neill. 

23  Alexander  Potts,  b.  July  2,  1859. 

24  Frank  Udell  Potts,  b.  January  i,  1862. 

25  William  S.  Potts. 

26  Eva  Eliza  Potts. 

13  Rev.  Jephthah  Potts, ^  ( Alexander,' John,'),  son  of 
Alexander  and  Susan  (Parsons)  Potts,  was  born  January  8, 
1809,  and  died  1883.  He  was  a  minister  in  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  was  located  in  Somerset  County,  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  Martha  Horn,  May  8,  1832.  She  was  born 
March  31,  181 2. 

Children  of  Rf;v.  Jephthah  and  Mary  (Horn)  Potts. 

27  Charlotte  Potts,  b.  Feb.  17,  1S33;  m.  David  H.  Bowser. 

28  William  Jephthah  Potts,  b.  Nov.  18,  1833;  d.  Nov.  19,  1845. 

29  Rev.  John  Vinton  Potts,  b.  July  22,  1S36;  m.  Annie  B.  Colborn. 

30  Ann  Potts,  b.  Sep.  16,  1838;  d.  Jan.  9,  1839. 

31  Mar}-  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Nov.  30,  1S39;  m.  Nathan  Rhodes. 


350  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

32  Theodore  Benson  Potts,  b.  Feb.  7,  1842;   ni.  Catharine  Beckley. 

33  Evaline  Maria  Potts,  b.  Auof.  12,  1844;  m.  Peter  Bender. 

34  James  Albert  Potts,  b.  July  26,  1847. 

35  Cyrus  Josiah  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  6,  1849;  "i-  Beaver. 

36  vSylvester  Sydney  Potts,   b,  May  20,  1852;  m.  Susan  Real. 


29  Rev.  John  Vinton  Potts,*  (Jephthali,' Alexander,' 
John,'),  son  of  Rev.  Jephthah  and  Mary  (Horn)  Potts,  was 
born  July  22,  1836,  near  Schellsburg,  Bedford  County,  Pa. 
He  married  Annie  B.  Colborn,  March  21,  1861.  He  is  a 
minister  of  the  United  Brethern  Church,  and  is  the  author 
of  several  religious  books.  Residence,  North  Robinson, 
Crawford  County,  Ohio. 

Children  of  Rev.  John  Vinton  and  Annih  B.  (Colborn)  Potts. 

37  Charles  Potts.     An  adopted  son. 

38  Ivan  S.  Potts.  39     Arlie  Potts. 


A  Pedigree  of  John  Potts'  Family. 


John  Potts=Elizabeth  Stkvens 
b.  1729  I 

d.  1785 

1  \  m 

Mratha  Barnett^  Alexanaer=Susan  Parsons  John=  James 

I  I  Robert 

Charlotte 


MM!  I  Ml  M 

Elizabeth  Potts  Jephthah  Potts-=Mary  Horn        Alexander  Johti 

Catharine  Potts 

Hannah  Potts 

Martha  Potts 

John  Potts-  Sarah  C.  Stilt 


Joseph  Mary 

Hannah 


MM  M  M  I  MM  Ml  III 

Nancy  M.  Alexander  Charlotte  Mary  E.  James  Albert 

John  R.  S.  Frank  V.  William  J.  Theodore  B.  Cvnis  Josiah 

Juniata  William  S.  Rev.  John  V.  Evaline  M.  Sylvester  S. 

Margaret  Eva  Eliza  Ann 


Robert  Potts,  of  Virginia.  351 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


The  Potts  Family  of  Northumberland  County,  Virgfinia.* 


I  ROBERT  POTTS  is  found  in  Northumberland 
Count}-,  Virginia,  as  earh'  as  1756.  The  land  records  of 
that  County  show  the  following  purchases  of  land. 

Sept.  13,  1756,   from  John  Hill,  eighteen  acres. 

Dec.  26,  1762,   from  Robert  Carter,  a  lease  of  land. 

March  8,  1773,   from  George  Edwards,  a  tracft  of  land. 

Robert  Potts'  wife's  name  was  Frances,  and  as  the  fam- 
ily is  said  to  have  been  related  to  the  Hills,  her  maiden 
name  is  supposed  to  have  been  Hill. 

Robert  Potts  died  about  1 778,  probably  at  quite  an  old  age. 
His  will  is  dated  Sept.  15,  1777,  and  was  proven  June  8, 
1778.  He  mentions  his  wife  Frances;  his  sons  Thomas, 
Robert  and  Enoch  ;  his  daughters  Betty  Pitman,  Martha 
Pitman,  Sukey  Pitman  and  Nancy  Potts  ;  his  son-in-law 
John  Boyd ;  and  his  grand-children  Thomas  Potts  and 
Frances  Boyd. 

Children  of  Robert  and  Frances  ( )  Potts. 

2  Thomas  Potts,  m.  Judith  Sutton. 

3  Robert  Potts.     No  account  of  descendants. 

4  Enoch  Potts.     No  account  of  descendants. 

5  Betty  Potts,  m.  Pitman. 

6  Martha  Potts,  m. Pitman. 

7  Sukej-  Potts,  m. Pitman. 

8     Potts,  m.  John  Boyd. 

9  Nanc}'  Potts. 


*  Note.  This  Chapter  has  been  compiled  from  some  brief  abstradls  from  the 
official  records  of  Northumberland  County,  and  from  information  received  from 
Warner  K.  C.  Potts,  of  Mexico,  Missouri. 


352  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

2  Thomas  Potts,*  (Robert,'),  son  of  Robert  and  Fran- 
ces Potts,  married  Judith  Sutton,  daughter  of  William  Sut- 
ton, deceased,  as  appears  from  a  bond  recorded  in  North- 
umberland County,  dated  Feb.  3,  1777.  On  July  12,  1779, 
Enoch  Potts  executed  a  deed  to  Thomas  Potts  for  land  in- 
herited from  Robert  Potts,  his  father.  Thomas  afterwards 
removed  to  the  adjoining  County  of  Lancaster,  and  on  June 
17,  1793,  he  conveyed  land  formerly  belonging  to  Robert 
Potts,  his  father,  to  Thomas  Potts,  Jr.,  his  son,  who  was 
described  as  of  Northumberland  County.  Enoch  Potts  and 
Robert  Potts  are  named  in  the  deed  as  brothers  of  Thomas, 
Senior.  On  Sept.  6,  1S05,  Thomas  Potts  and  Judith,  his 
wife,  conveyed  to  Thomas  Webb  142)4  acres  of  land  in 
Northumberland  County  ;  and  on  October  30,  following, 
Thomas  Webb  and  wife  conveyed  the  same  amount  of  land 
to  Thomas  Potts.  From  a  deed  dated  Jan.  14,  1811,  it  ap- 
pears that  Thomas  Potts  was  a  trustee  for  Jessie  Pitman. 
Whether  there  were  other  children  than  Thomas,  Jr.,  has 
not  been  learned. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Judith  (Sui^on)  Potts. 
10    Thomas  Potts,  ni.  Susan  Cockerill. 


10  Thomas  Potts,'  (Thomas,-  Robert,'),  .son  of  Thom- 
as and  Judith  (Sutton)  Potts,  was  a  resident  of  Northum- 
berland County,  and  owned  land  conveyed  to  him  by  his 
father.  He  seems  to  have  been  the  same  who,  descend- 
ants say,  married  Susan  Cockerill,  and  had  three  sons  and 
possibly  other  children. 

Chii.drknof  Tho.mas  .^.nd  Sus.an  (Cockhriij.)  Potts. 

I  r     Thomas  Potts.     No  further  account. 

12  John  Potts.     No  further  account. 

13  Enoch  Hill  Potts,  b.  1780;  d.  1846;  m.  Mary  Garlington. 


Robert  Potts,  of  Virginia.  353 

13  Enoch  Hill  Potts/  (Thomas, ^  Thomas, ^  Robert, i). 
son  of  Thomas  and  Susan  (Cockerill)  Potts,  was  born  1780, 
in  Northumberland  County.  He  married  Mary  Garlington, 
daughter  of  William  and  L,ucy  (Carroll)  Garlington.  The 
Northumberland  County  records  show  a  deed  made  in  1S14 
by  Enoch  and  Polls'  Potts,  (who  was  formerly  Polly  Gar- 
lington), to  William  Garlington,  for  his  wife's  interest  in 
dower  land  held  by  L,ucy  Garlington. 

About  this  time  he  removed  to  Baltimore,  and  when  the 
British  army  made  the  sally  on  that  city  in  August,  1814, 
he  lost  all  his  negroes — ten  likel}'  men  beside  several  women 
and  children.  After  a  couple  of  3'ears  in  Baltimore,  he  re- 
moved to  Kentucky  and  from  there  to  Cooper  County,  Mis- 
souri, where  he  died  about  1845  or  1846. 

Children  of  Enoch  Hiti,  and  Mary  (Garlington)  Potts. 

14  Henry  Paggette  Potts,  m.  Lucy  Jane  Smith. 

15  William  Garlington  Potts,  m.  Judith  Smith. 

16  Warner  Kenner  Crawler  Potts,  b.  1S34;  m.  Susan  A.  Daniel. 

17  Olivia  Green  Potts,  m.  N.  P.  Degenette. 
iS  Susan  Cockerill  Potts,  m.  Joseph  Cline. 
19  Kitty  Carroll  Potts. 


16  Warner  Kenner  Crawler  Potts, ^*  (Enoch  Hill,* 
Thomas,*  Thomas,  Robert.'),  son  of  Enoch  Hill  and  Mary 
(Garlington)  Potts,  was  born  about  1834.  He  married  Su- 
san A.  Daniel.     Residence,   Mexico,  Audrain  County,  Mo. 

Child  of  Warnkr  K.  C.  and  Susan  A.  (Daniel)  Potts. 
20     Willard  Potts,   b.  1S59.     A  merchant  at  Mexico,  Missouri. 


*  Note.  Mr.  W.  K.  C.  Potts  says  that  the  tradition  of  his  family  alleges  that 
the  first  settlers  came  from  Wales.  They  claim  to  be  related  to  the  Potts'  of 
Pennsylvania. 

45 


354  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Sopplementary  Notes.* 


The  following  were  residents  of  Northumberland  County, 
Virginia,  but  the  names  of  their  parents  do  not  seem  to  be 
known  by  their  descendants. 

Children  of  and ( )  Potts. 

1  Thomas  Potts,  m.  Jud)'  Percival. 

2  John  Potts.     He  was  a  seaman. 

3  Bartley  or  Bartlett  Potts. 

4  James  Potts.     He  was  a  merchant  a  New  Orleans. 

I  Thomas  Potts,  when  eighteen  j^ears  of  age,  enlisted 
in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  but  no  account  of  his  services 
has  been  furnished.  He  is  said  to  have  married  Judy  Per- 
cival, or  Piercevill.     He  was  a  farmer. 

Children  of  Thomas  and  Judy  (Percival)  Potts. 

5  Thomas  Potts.     He  settled  and  died  in  Jackson  County,  Mo. 

6  John  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1865;  m. . 

7  Joseph  Potts.     Settled  and  died  in  Johnson  County,  Missouri. 
S    Jesse  Potts.     Settled  and  died  in  Jackson  Count}',  Missouri. 

9    Catharine  Potts.  1 1     Nancy  Potts. 

10    Judy  Potts.  12     Eliza  Potts. 

6  John  Potts  removed  to  Missouri.  He  was  married, 
and  died  July  1865. 

Children  of  John  and ( )  Potts. 

13  Ivevi  Potts,  b.  ;  m. . 

14  Martain  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  Ocl.  — ,  1S63. 

13  Levi  Potts  is  a  farmer  and  lives  near  Grain  Valley, 
Jackson  County,  Missouri.     He  is  married. 

Children  of  Lp:vi  and ( )  Potts. 

15  William  Potts.  16    Josiah  M.  Potts.  17     Riley  Potts. 

*  Note.  The  data  for  these  Supplementary  Notes  has  been  furnished  by  Mr. 
Josiah  M.  Potts  (16),  of  Grain  V'alley,  Missouri.  These  are  probably  descendants 
of  Robert  Potts  A  more  thorough  Investigation  would  doubtless  develope  a  clear- 
er and  more  complete  pedigree  of  this  family. 


The  Barbadoes-Maryland  Family,  355 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


The  Potts  Family  of  Barbadoes  and  Maryland, 


The  Barbadoes-Maryland  family  of  Potts  take  their  de- 
scent from  William  Potts,  who  seems  to  have  emigrated 
from  Kings  County,  Ireland,  to  the  Island  of  Barbadoes  in 
the  West  Indes,  probably  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  This  is  corroborated,  both  by  tradition  and  old 
family  letters  still  preser\^ed.  The  earliest  Bible  record  be- 
gins with  William  Potts  and  wife  Rebecca  in  Barbadoes. 
This  family  has  long  been  one  of  high  social  standing. 

1  WILLIAM  POTTS/  (William,"),  son  of  William 
Potts,  of  Kings  County,  Ireland,  was  born,  perhaps  about 
1690  or  a  little  later.*  For  an  account  of  the  family  in  Ire- 
land, see  pages  97  to  1 11,  in  this  volume.  William  Potts 
settled  at  Bridgetown,  in  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  and  was 
probably  a  planter.  His  wife's  name  was  Rebecca,  but  of 
what  family  she  was  has  not  been  discovered.  William  Potts 
died  in  1721,  leaving  a  widow  Rebecca  and  a  son  and  daugh- 
ter. 

Rebecca  Potts,  the  widow,  seems  to  have  married,  as  her 
second  husband,  John  Jones.  The  Bible  which  contains 
record  of  the  birth  of  William  Potts,  son  of  William  and 
Rebecca,  in  1718,  has  next  following  the  birth  of  John  Jones, 
son  of  John  and  Rebecca,  in  1723. 

William  Potts,  by  his  will,  left  his  estate  to  his  son  Wil- 
liam.    He  named  his  wife  Rebecca  as  executrix,  and  she 


Note.    This  William  Potts  is  identical  with  William  Potts,  No.  5,  ou  page  103. 


356  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

was  to  have  the  enjoyment  of  the  estate  during  WilHam's 
minority.  From  letters  extant  Rebecca  seems  to  have  been 
still  living  in  1767. 

Children  of  William  and  Rebecca  ( )  Potts. 

2  William  Potts,  b.  1718;  d.  1761;   m.  Sarah  Lee. 

3  Jane  Potts.      The  only  information  of  her  is  the  mention  in  the 

will  of  her  uncle  John  Potts.     See  page  102. 


2  William  Potts, 2  (William, »  William/),  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Rebecca  Potts,  was  born  in  17 18,  in  the  Island  of 
Barbadoes.  He  removed  to  Maryland  and  took  up  land  on 
the  Choptank  river.  About  1740  or  1741,  he  married  Sa- 
rah Lee,  daughter  of  Philip  Lee,  of  Prince  George  County.* 
He  continued  to  live  in  Maryland  until  about  1753  or  1754, 
when  he  returned  to  Barbadoes.  In  1756,  he  took  his  son 
William  to  London  and  placed  him  in  the  care  of  an  aunt 
to  be  educated.  He  died  at  Gaudeloupe,  West  Indes,  in 
1761,  aged  about  43  years.  Sarah  his  widow  died  in  1790, 
at  the  home  of  her  son  Richard  Potts. 

Children  of  William  and  Sarah  (Lee)  Potts. 

4  William  Potts,  b.  June  24,  1742;  d.  about  1819;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth 

W^illiams;  m.  2d.  Elizalseth  Beckles. 

5  Rebecca  Potts,    b.  Dec.  7,  1744;  d.  iSoS;  m.  Col.  Benjamin  Mar- 

kall,  of  Benedicts  Landing,  Calvert  County. 

6  Sarah  Eleanor  Potts,  b.  Nov.  27,  1746;  d.  about  1805;  m.  Thom- 

as Gantt,  a  planter  of  Prince  George  County,  Md.    Children,  i 
Thomas,   2  Sarah,  who  married  Dr.  Thomas  Beall. 

7  Hon.  Richard  Potts,  b.  July  19.  1753;  d.  1S09;  m.  ist,  Elizabeth 

Hughes;  m.  2d,  Eleanor  Murdoch. 

8  Philip  Potts.  10    Lettice  Lee  Potts. 

9  Ann  Potts,  11     Alice  Corbin  Potts,  f 


*  The  Lee  Family.  The  following  is  a  brief  statement  of  descent  in  the  Lee 
family.  l  Sir  John  Lee,  Kt.,  of  Wibunbury,  Cheshire,  England,  ni.  Isabella  Sut- 
ton. 2  John  Lee,  son  and  lieir,  ni.  Elizabeth  Fovvlehurst.  3  Thomas  Lee,  son 
and  heir.  m.  Alice  Aston.  4  John,  Baron  de  la  Lee,  son  and  heir,  m.  Margaret 
Hockvvell.  5  Benedidl  Lee,  fifth  son,  (d.  1476),  m.  Elizabeth  Wood.  6  Richard 
Lee,  eldest  son, (d.  1500),  m.  Elizabeth  Saunders.  7  Benedidl  Lee,  (d.  1547).  m. 
Elizabeth  Cheyne.  8  Robert  Lee,  son  and  heir,  m.  Lucy  Pigott.  9  Richard  Lee, 
.seventh  son,  m.  Elizabeth  Langdon.  10  Richard  Lee,  son  of  the  last,  emigrated 
to  Virginia  and  m.  Letitia  Corbin.  11  Philip  Lee,  second  sou,  was  the  father  of 
Sarah  Lee,  who  married  William  Potts. 

t  Note.  The  last  four  children  were  born  in  Barbadoes,  and  all  died  of  yellow 
fever  in  1759. 


The  Barbadoes-Maryland  Family.  357 

4  William  Potts,^  (William, ^  William, ^  William,"), 
son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Lee)  Potts,  was  born  June  24, 
1742,  at  Paiituxant,  Maryland.  He  was  educated  in  Eng- 
land. He  lived  for  sometime  in  Barbadoes,  but  afterwards 
in  Baltimore  and  Frederick,  Maryland.  He  married,  first, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Francis  Williams  ;  and  second, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Beckles,  King's  Attorney  Gen- 
eral for  Barbadoes.  Of  his  children,  only  two  survived 
their  parents,  and  they  left  no  descendants. 

ChIIvDREN  of   WILI.IAM  AND  ( )  POTTS. 

12  Sarah  Lee  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1820, 

13  Mary  Potts,   b.  ;  d.  i8ia 

14  Benjamin  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1799. 

15  Robert  Beckles  Potts,  b •;  d.  iSia 

16  Dr.  William  Potts,  b ;  d,  1818. 

17  Elizabeth  Catharine  Potts,  b, ;  d.  182a 


7  Hon.  Richard  Potts,^  (Wiliiam,*  William,*  Wil- 
liam,"), son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Lee)  Potts,  was  born 
July  19,  1753,  at  Upper  Marlboro,  Prince  George  County, 
Maryland.  Soon  after  his  birth  his  parents  removed  to 
Barbadoes.  Sometime  after  the  death  of  his  father,  the 
family  returned  to  Maryland.  He  was  bred  to  the  law  and 
settled  at  Frederick  City.  He  was  prominent  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Saf- 
ty,  and  was  an  Aid  to  Gov.  Johnson  of  the  Maryland  Line, 
at  Valley  Forge  in  1777.  He  was  seledted  by  the  General 
Assembly  as  Representative  to  Congress  in  1780.  He  was 
Governor  of  Maryland  in  1781-1782,  and  United  States  Sen- 
ator in  1 792-1 796.  He  was  twice  appointed  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Distri(5l,  and  was  appointed  the  first  Judge  of  the 
High  Court  of  Appeals.     He  died  in  1809. 

He  married,  first,  Elizabeth  Hughes,  daughter  of  Barna- 
bas Hughes,  of  Hagerstown.  She  was  born  about  1762, 
and  died  in  1793.      He  married,  second,  Eleanor  Murdoch, 


^$8  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

daughter  of  George  and  Eleanor  Murdoch,  in  1799.     She 
died  in  1842. 

Children  of  Judge  Richard  and  Ewzabeth  (Hughes)  Potts. 

18  Williain  Potts,  b.  March  26,  1780;  d.  ;  in.  ist,  Susan  Camp- 

bell; m.  2d,  Jane  Alexander. 

19  Elizabeth  Potts,   b.  Dec.  i,  1781. 

20  Rebecca  Potts,  b.  April  6,  1783;  d.  iinm. 

21  Samuel  Potts,  b.  0<5l.  24,  1784;  d.  unm. 

22  Richard  Potts,  b.  March  10,  1786;  d.  1865;  m.  Ann  S.  Murdoch. 

23  John  Lee  Potts,  b.  Sep.  28,  1788.  d.  unm. 

24  Sarah  Ann  Potts,  b.  Sept.  26,  1791;  d.  unm. 

25  Philip  Thomas  Potts,  b.  Sept.  26,  1793;  d.  unm. 

Children  OF  Judge  Richard  and  Ele.^lNor  (Murdoch)  Potts. 

26  Mary  Jane  Fitzhugh  Potts,  m.  Worthington  Johnson.     Children, 

I  Worthington,  m.  Annie  Graham  ;  2  Dr.  George,  m.  Miss 
Crawford  ;  3  Richard  ;  4  Ross. 

27  Harriet  Murdoch  Potts,    b.  — ,  ;   d.  1S67;   m.  Judge  Richard 

Marshall,  of  Frederick.  They  had  four  daughters,  three  of 
whom  died  young.  The  surviving  daughter,  Ann  P.  Marshall, 
died  in  1890.  By  her  will  she  distributed  an  estate,  valued  at 
over  half  a  million  dollars  among  her  relatives. 

28  George  Murdoch  Potts;  b.  1805;  d.  August  19,  1893;  m.  Cornelia 

Ringgold. 

29  Eleanor  Murdoch  Potts,  b. ;    d.    18S2,    unmarried,    beloved 

and  respedled  by  all  for  her  virtues  and  charity. 


18  William  Potts,"  (Richard,*  William.' William,' Wil- 
liam,'), son  of  Judge  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Hughes  )Potts, 
was  born  in  1780.  He  was  educated  at  St.  Johns  College, 
Annapolis.  He  was  first  a  merchant  in  Baltimore,  but  af- 
terwards engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  became  a 
planter.     He  died  shortly  before  the  Civil  War. 

He  married,  first,  Miss  Susan  Campbell,  who  died  early. 
He  married,  second,  Jane  Alexander,  daughter  of  Patrick 
and  Elizabeth  Alexander,  of  Cumberland.  After  the  death 
of  Mr.  Potts,  the  family  removed  to  Richmond,  Virginia, 
and  subsequently  to  Louisiana.  Here  they  suffered  the 
troubles  and  losses  brought  about  by  the  exigencies  of  the 


The  Barbadoes-Maryland  Family.  359 

Civil  War.     They  returned  to  Baltimore  about  1878,     Mrs, 
Jane  Alexander  Potts  died  in  1S83. 

Children  of  Wilwam  and  Jane  (Alexander)  Po'tts. 

30  Richard  Potts,   b,  Sept.  4,  1831;  d.  July  11.  1891.     He  was  a  civ- 

il engineer,  and  served  throughout  the  Civil  War,  on  the  Con- 
federate side.  Subsequent  to  the  war  he  settled  in  Chicago, 
where  he  died.      He  married  Josephine  Mead.      No  Children. 

31  Eleanor  Anne  Potts. 

32  Elizabeth  Rosa  Potts,  b, ;  d.  June  6,  i893';  unm.* 

33  Dr.  WilHam  Alexander  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1S78,     He  was  a  phy- 

sician of  ability  and  eminence.  During  the  Civil  War,  he 
served  as  Surgeon  and  Major  in  the  Confederate  Army.  After 
the  war,  he  pradiiced  his  profession  in  Louisiana.  In  1878, 
he  obeyed  the  summons  from  the  yellow  fever  stricken  City  of 
Vicksburg.  and  shared  the  fate  of  sixteen  volunteer  physi- 
cians, who  were  there,  a  sacrifice  to  duty. 

34  Susan  Campbell  Potts,  b, ;  d.  1878,  a  victim  of  yellow  fever 

at  Vicksbursf. 


22  Richard  Potts,*  (Richard,' William,*William,' Wil- 
liam,*), son  of  Judge  Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Hughes) 
Potts,  was  born  March  10,  1786.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion at  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  He  studied  law  and  became 
eminent  in  his  profession.  He  was  a  Diredlor  of  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  served  many  years  in  the 
Maryland  State  Senate.  He  married  Ann  S.  Murdoch, 
daughter  of  George  and  Eleanor  Murdoch,  and  died  in  1865, 
without  issue. 

28  George  Murdoch  Potts,*  (Richard, »  William,'  Wil- 
liam,* William,"),  son  of  Judge  Richard  and  Eleanor  (Mur- 
doch) Potts,  was  born  about  1805.  He  resided  at  Freder- 
ick, Maryland.  He  married  Cornelia  Ringgold,  daughter 
of  Gen.  Daniel  and  Maria  (Cadwallader)  Potts,  Nov.  16, 
1826.  She  was  born  Sept.  2,  1805,  and  died  1868.  George 
Murdoch  Potts  died  August  19,  1893. 


*  Note.     The  compiler  received  a  large  amount  of  data  for  this  Chapter,  from 
the  late  Miss  Elizabeth  Rosa  Potts,  of  Baltimore, 


36o  Thk  Potts  FAMiLr  in  America, 

CHii^rmKN  OF  George  M.  and  Corneua  (Ringgold)  Fotts. 

35  Dr.  Richard  Potts,    b.   1827;   d.  1S67;   m.   ist,  Rebecca  O'B.  Mc- 

pherson; m.  2d,  Eugenia  Dunlap. 

36  George  Potts,  b,  1S29;  d.  1830, 

37  Arthur  Potts,  b.  1S31;  m.  Helen  Mobberly, 

38  Dt.  George  Murdoch  Potts. 

39  Cornelia  Ringgold  Potts,  m.  Charles  Worthington  Ross.      Chil- 

dren, I  William  Johnson.  2  Coimelra,  3  Charles  C,  4  Richard 
P.,  5  George  M.,   6  Caroline. 

40  Eleanor  Potts,  b. ;  d.  1861;  m.  Aj-thur  S.  Johns,  i860. 


35  Dr.  Richard  Potts,^  (Georg:e  M.,*  Richard,'  Wil- 
Ham,^  William,*  William,"),  son  o-f  George  M.  and  Cornelia 
(Ringgold)  Potts,  was  born  1827.  He  was  a  Surgeon  in  the 
United  States  Army,  and  later  in  the  Confederate  Army 
during  the  Civil  War.  After  the  War  he  settled  at  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee.  He  married,  first,  Rebecca  O'B.  McPher- 
son  June  2,  1852,  who  died  without  issue.  He  married, 
second,  Eugenia  Dunlap,  daughter  of  Hon.  George  W.  Dun- 
lap,  of  Kentticky,  Sept.  9,  1862. 

Children  of  Dr.  Richard  and  Eugenia  (Dunlap)  Potts. 

41  Mamie  Ch'de  Potts. 

42  George  Dunlap  Potts,  b.  Nov.  24,  1S64;   m.  Rose  F.  Greenan. 


37  Arthur  Potts,"  (George  M.,*  Richard,'  William,* 
William,^  William,"),  son  of  George  Murdoch  and  Cornelia 
(Ringgold)  Potts,  was  born  about  1831.  He  married  Hel- 
en Mobberly,  daughter  of  Dr.  Mobberly,  January  21,  i86g. 
Residence,  Frederick,  Maryland. 

Children  of  Arthur  and  Helen  (Mobberly)  Potts. 

43  Eleanor  Potts. 

44  Loui-sa  Potts. 

45  Richard  Potts. 

46  Cornelia  Potts. 

47  Anne  Potts. 


The  Barbadoes-Maryland  Famii^y. 


^6i 


42  George  Dunlap  Potts, «  (Richard,^  George  M.,* 
Richard,^  William,-  William/  W^illam,"),  son  of  Dr.  Richard 
and  Eugenia  S.  (Dunlap)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  24,  1S64,  at 
Montgomer)',  Alabama.  He  was  with  L,eggett  &  Brother, 
wholesale  druggists  of  New  York,  from  1883  to  1888.  He 
was,  for  a  considerable  time,  connedled  with  the  coal  busi- 
ness at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  since  1895  has  been  conne(5led 
with  the  Burnet  House,  a  large  hotel,  in  the  latter  city, 
being  the  treasurer  and  manager. 

He  married  Rose  Frances  Greenan,  daughter  of  John 
Francis  and  Ellen  (Lynch)  Greenan,  December  i<)  1893. 
She  was  born  December  20,  1868. 

A  Pedigree  of  the  Barbadoes-Maryland  Family. 


William  Potts= 

Of  Cheshire 

and 

Ireland 


Wilham  Potts,  b. 
Of  Barbadoes 


d.  i72i=Rebecca 


She  m.  2d,  John  Jones 


William  Potts,  b.  1718,  d.  i76i=Sarah  Lee 

I 


Jane  Potts 


Williani=  Elizabeth 
Potts        I    Campbell 
2=--Elizabeth 
Beckles 


I    I 
Rebecca^Col.  Benj. 
[Markall 
Sarah  p;.='rhomas 
[Gantt 


Elizabeth 
Hughes 


I  I  I  I  I  I 
Sarah  L.  Potts 
Mary  Potts 
BenjaminPotts 
Robert  B.  Potts 
Dr.  Wm.  Potts 
Eliz'hC.  Potts 


.    .1  1    I    I    1    I    I    i 

William  +  Susan  Elizabeth  Potts 

Potts        I    Campbell     Rebecca  Potts 
2±  Jane  Alex-    Samuel  Potts 
ander  Richard  Potts= 

John  Lee  Potts 
Sarah  Ann  Potts 
Philip  T.  Potts 


I  Mil 

Judge         Phihp  Potts 
Richard    Ann  Potts 
Potts  Lettice  L.  Potts 

m.  2d        Alice  C.  Potts 

Eleanor 

Murdoch 

L 

I  I  I  I 

Marv  J.  F.  =  W.  Johnson 
Harriet  M.  =  R.  Marshall 
Eleanor  Murdoch  Potts 
George  M.  =  Cornelia 
Potts  Ringgold 


I    I    I    I    I                           .  I  II                             111 

Richard  Potts=Josephiue    Do(ftor  George  Potts       George  M.  Potts 

[Mead  Richard  +  Rebecca  Arthur=Helen     Cornelia  R.  Potts 

Eleanor  Anne  Potts  Potts        I    McPher-  Potts          Mob-        m.  C.  W.  Ross 

Elizabeth  Rosa  Potts  |    son  berly    Eleanor  Potts 

Dr.  William  A.  Potts  2+ Eugenia  S.  m.  A.  S.  Johns 

Susan  Campbell  Potts  I    Dunlap 


Mamie  Clyde  Potts 

George  D.  Potts— Rose  F.  Greenan 


I    I 
Eleanor  Potts 
Louisa  Potts 


Richard  Potts 
Cornelia  Potts 


I 
Anne  Potts 


46 


362  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


The  Canadian  Branch  of  the  Potts  Family. 


I  John  Trumperant  Potts,'  (John  T./'  William,"  Da- 
vid/' William/),  son  of  John  Trumperant  and  Catharine 
(Griffin)  Potts,  was  born  Dec.  28,  1809,  at  St.  Marks,  Coun- 
ty West  Meath,  Ireland.*  He  was  educated  at  Trinity 
College,  Dublin.  He  married  Jane  Frances  Johnston, daugh- 
ter of  Captain  William  and  Bessie  (Mitchell)  Johnston,  of 
Seven  Churches,  Kings  County,  January  17,  1837.  She  was 
born  June  25,  1810,  and  died  May  9,  1889.  They  settled 
in  the  Dominion  of  Canada.     He  died  0(51.  3,  1853. 

Chilbren  of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  F,  (Johnston)  Potts. 

2  Bessie  Trumperant  Potts,   b.  Nov.  10  1837. 

3  William  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  Dec.  25,  '39;  m.  Selena  Chambers. 

4  Henry  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  Feb.  24,  1841;  m.  Ellen  Burns. 

5  John  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  April  3,  1843;  ^-  Maria  Davis. 

6  James  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  March  24,  1845;  d.  Jan.  1,  1884;  m. 

Mary  Jane  Kerr. 

7  Joseph  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  Dec.  25,  1846.     Res.,  Manitoba. 


3  William  Trumperant  Potts,'  (John Trumperant,'), 
son  of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  Frances  (Johnston)  Potts, 
was  born  Dec.  25,  1839.  He  was  brought  up  in  Canada 
and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  subsequently  became 
a  manufadlurer  of  artificial  limbs.  He  has  long  held  an  ap- 
pointment under  the  Surgeon  General  for  Government  or- 
ders.    He  has  resided  in  Philadelphia  since  1869.       As  the 

*  Note.    John  Trumperant  Potts  is  identical  with  John  Trvnuperant  Potts,  No. 
30,  mentioned  on  pages  io8  and  109  of  this  vohime. 


William   Xrtjmpekant    f otts. 

PAGE  362.      No.    3. 


The  Irish-Canadian  Potts'.  363 

eldest  siirviver  in  the  male  line,  he  claimed  the  entailed  es- 
tate in  Ireland,  bnt  was  unsuccessful  in  a  legal  contest  for 
his  right  to  the  succession.  He  married  Selena  Chambers 
August  26,  1875. 

Children  of  William  T.  and  Selena  (Chambers)  Potts. 

8  William  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  May  29,  1877.     A  musician. 

9  Albert  H.  Potts,  b.  April  23,  1880;  d.  Nov.  19,  1881. 

10  John  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  Feb.  26,  1883;  d.  April  23,  1S84. 

11  p-lorinda  Potts,  b,  Avigust  10,  1887;  d.  August  4,  1890, 


4  Henry  Trumperant  Potts, 2  (John  Trumperant,'), 
son  of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  Frances  (Johnson)  Potts, 
was  born  Feb.  24,  1841.  He  is  a  farmer  of  Aaron  Town- 
ship, Bruce  County,  Ontario,  Canada.  He  married  Ellen 
Burns,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Alexander)  Burns, 
Feb.  17,  1876.     She  was  born  Jan.  26,  1857. 

Children  of  Henry  T.  and  Ellen  (Burns)  Potts. 

12  Piva  Potts,    b.  Nov.  26,  1876. 

13  William  J.  T.  Potts,  b.  Sept.  15,  1878. 

14  Harr}'  Johnston  Potts,  b.  Feb.  15,  i88r. 

14  Emeline  Potts,    b.  Feb.  12,  1883. 

15  James  Deighton  Potts,  b.  April  2,  1887. 
17     Sara  Potts,  b.  June  11,  1891. 


5  John  Trumperant  Potts,*  (John  Trumperant,')  ,son 
of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  Frances  (John.ston)  Potts,  was 
Vjorn  April  3,  1843.  He  married  Maria  Davis,  daughter  of 
John  and  Maria  (Bell)  Davis.  She  was  born  Nov.  22,  1853, 
and  died  May  22,  1888.  Occupation,  farmer.  Residence, 
Baswood,  Manitoba,  Canada. 

Children  of  John  T.  and  Maria  (Davis)  Potts. 

18  Henrietta  Potts,  b.  May  16,  1870. 

19  Martha  Potts,  b.  April  18,  1872. 

20  Bessie  Potts,  b.  June  3,  1875. 

21  Maria  Margaret  Potts,    b.  Nov.  8,  1876. 


364  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

22  John  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  June  13,  187S. 

23  Joseph  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  Dec.  8,  1880. 

24  James  Trumperant  Potts,   b.  Dec.  7,  1881. 

25  William  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  May  26,  1SS3. 

26  Arthur  Trumperant  Potts,  b.  May  26,  1887. 


6  James  Trumperant  Potts,*  (John  Trumperant,') 
son  of  John  Trumperant  and  Jane  Frances  (Johnston)  Potts, 
was  born  March  24,  1845.  He  married  Mar}-  Jane  Kerr, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Martha  (Hyndman)  Kerr,  Feb.  12, 
1872.  She  was  born  March  2,  1852.  He  taught  school  for 
man}'  years  in  Ontario,  Canada.     He  died  Jan.  i,  1884. 

Chii^dren  of  James  T.  and  Mary  Jane  (Kerr)  Potts. 

27  R.  Leighton  Potts,  b.  Feb.  20,  1873. 

28  Martha  Potts,  b.  Sept.  10,  1875. 

29  George  A.  Potts,  b.  Sept.  10,  1878. 

30  Frances  Jane  Potts,  b.  January  i,  1881. 

31  Kate  Potts,  b.  April  27,  1883. 

A  Pedigree  Embracing  the  Canadian  Branch. 


William  Potts,  of  Cheshire  and  Irelaud= 


I  .  I  I  1  I  I  J  I 

David=Jane  Trumperant    John    Samuel    Wilham    Dorothy    Jane   Elinor  Mary 

1  \  i  \  \  1 

William  Pott.s=Elinor  Young       John  James  Samuel  Mary         Jane 

1  '.         i  [  I  I  I  M  {  I 

John  Trumperant  Potts=Catharine       James  D.        William  Y. 

I  Griffin 

[I  III 

Wilham  T.         John  T.=Jane  F.  Johnston         Joseph  T.        Henry  T.        Ellen  T. 

T\  \  \  n 

Bessie  T.  Potts  |  j  Joseph  T.  Potts 

William  T.=^ Selena  Henry  T.i=Ellen        JohnT.^Maria      James  T.^-Jane 

Potts  I  Chambers     Potts  I  Burns       Potts       I  Davis       Potts  I  Kerr 


JIM  MINI  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  I  Mill 

William  Tr.  Potts      Eva  Potts  Henrietta  Potts  R.  Eeigton  Potts 

Albert  H.  Potts  William  J.  T.  Potts       Martha  Potts  Martha  Potts 

John  Tr.  Potts  HarryJohustonPotts    Bessie  Potts  George  A.  Potts 

Florinda  Potts  Emeline  Potts  Maria  Marg't  Potts    Frances  Jane  Potts 

James  D.  Potts  John  Tr.  Potts  Kate  Potts 

Sara  Potts  Joseph  Tr.  Potts 

James  Tr.  Potts 
William  Tr.  Potts 
Arthur  Tr.  Potts 


Some  Early  Potts'  of  North  Carolina,        365 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 


Some  Early  Potts  Settlers  in  North  Carolina.* 


About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  many  fami- 
lies removed  from  Pennsylvania  and  adjoining  states  and 
settled  in  North  Carolina.  Sometimes  considerable  num- 
bers from  the  same  community  removed  in  a  body.  Among 
those  from  Pennsylvania,  many  settled  in  Rowan  County, 
which  originally  included  all  the  w^estern  part  of  the  state. 
Many  of  these  early  settlers  were  Scotch-Irish  Presbyteri- 
ans. About  1750,  Fourth  Creek  Presbyterian  Church  was 
organized  at  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  town  of  States- 
ville.  About  1773,  a  map  of  the  territory  occupied  by  this 
Congregation  was  coristru(5led,  embracing  a  sedtion  within 
a  radius  of  ten  or  twelve  miles  around  the  Church.  The 
names  of  nwre  than  one  hundred  heads  of  families,  includ- 
ing many  of  the  original  settlers  appear  upon  this  map. 
On  Fourth  Creek,  some  four  or  five  miles  above  the  Church, 
was  Moses  Potts.  Henry  Potts  was  a  little  farther  up, 
and  a  few  miles  farther  was  James  Potts.  James  M.  Potts, 
a  grandson  of  Moses  Potts,  informed  the  writer  hereof,  that 
Moses  Potts  had  a  brother  John,  who  came  with  him,  first 
to  Pennsylvania  and  later  to  North  Carolina. 

Upon  the  organization  of  Iredell  County,  the  Potts'  were 
included  within  the  new  County.  Moses  and  John  Potts 
removed  to  Georgia,  Henry  Potts  died  in  Rowan  County, 
and  James  Potts  seems  to  have  removed  to  Mecklenburg 


*  Note.  The  compiler  of  this  Chapter  is  indebted  to  the  late  Rev.  Elijah  F. 
Rockwell,  D.  D.,  for  much  of  the  information  contained  herein.  Dr.  Rockwell, 
wa.'ia  Presb5'terian  mini.ster,  a  teacher,  and  a  local  historian  of  repute.  He  settled 
in  Iredell  County  in  1840  and  died  in  188S,  aged  seventy  nine  years. 


366  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

Count}-,  which  adjoins  Iredell  on  the  south.  Tradition  al- 
leges that  these  Potts'  were  Scotch-Irish.  This  may  have 
grown  out  of  the  fadl  that  they  lived  among  and  intermar- 
ried with  these  people,  or  they  may  actually  have  come 
from  the  north  of  Ireland,  where  a  number  of  Potts'  have 
long  been  settled.  These  north  of  Ireland  Potts'  seem  how- 
ever to  have  gone  there  from  English  Counties. 

The  early  settlers  in  Rowan  County  suffered  much  from 
the  attacks  of  hostile  Indians.  The  follov.'ing  sketch  was 
written  by  the  late  Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell,  D.  D.,  in  1847. 

The  most  disastrous  attack  of  the  Indians,  durin.v;  the  time  of  Fort 
Dobb,*  (1755-1763),  of  which  tradition  gives  us  any  account,  was  when 
a  party  went  out  to  forage  at  the  old  Moses  Potts  place,  a  house  that 
stood  near  where  the  little  branch,  back  of  John  H.  MacLelland's,  en- 
ters Fourth  Creek,  and  above  the  Nesbit  place.  It  is  said  that  in  this 
company,  there  were  fifteen  or  twenty  men,  some  young,  some  old. 
The  Indians  attacked  them  suddenly  at  the  house.  One  mortally 
wounded  and  scalped,  crept  back  into  an  out-building  and  died.  Some 
fled  across  the  Creek  and  up  a  steep  ravine,  pursued  by  the  foe.  Of 
these  some  escaped  to  the  Fort ;  but  one  wounded  man  ran  until  with- 
in sight  of  the  Fort  and  fell  dead.  He  was  buried  on  the  spot  where 
he  fell,  by  the  side  of  the  road,  in  front  of  where  the  Huggins  place 
now  is.t 

At  this  time  Smith  Billy  Morrison  fell  in  jumping  the  Creek,  just 
as  the  Indian  in  pursuit  shot  his  arrow,  which  missed  him  and  pass- 
ing over  struck  on  the  opposite  bank  before  him.  Rising  from  the 
water  he  caught  it,  and  raising  his  gun,  not  loaded,  he  pointed  it  at 
the  Indian  who  fled.  Some  say  that  Fergus  Sloan  was  in  the  compa- 
ny and  finding  at  the  house  a  colt  of  his  that  had  been  turned  loose, 
atid  converting  a  rope  he  had  to  tie  fodder  with  into  a  halter,  he  put 
it  on  the  horse.  Not  being  able  to  guide  the  horse  when  the  Indians 
began  to  yell,  he  ran  down  the  other  side  of  the  Creek  through  the 
muddy  bottom.  Morrison  ran  after  him  with  an  Indian  in  pursuit. 
Mr.  Sloan  would  stop  occasionally  and  point  his  gun  at  the  Indian 
and  wait  for  Morrison  to  come  up,  when  he  would  go  on  again.  At 
length  the  Indian  threw  his  tomahawk,  but  Morrison  happening  to 


*  NoTK.  Kort  Dobb  was  located  about  three  miles  above  where  Statesville  is 
now  built. 

t  NOTK.  Dr.  Rockwell  says  he  saw  the  grave  in  the  forties.  The  road  is  now 
changed  and  all  traces  of  the  grave  have  disappeared. 


Some  Early  Potts'  of  North  Carolina,        367 

stumble  at  that  moment,  the  weapon  went  over  his  head.  Recovering 
his  feet  he  seized  the  weapon,  and  now  as  the  Indian  was  disarmed  he 
mounted  the  horse  with  Sloan  and  both  escaped. 

Among  those  killed  on  this  occasion,  was  one  b}'  the  name  of  Ray 
and  two  McKnights.  A  scouting  party  went  out  into  what  is  now 
Catawba  County  and  came  upon  a  party  of  savages  in  a  deserted  house. 
The  whites  got  behind  a  stack  of  straw  and  threw  pine  torches  on  the 
roof  of  the  house  and  set  it  on  fire.  The  Indians  ran  from  the  house 
and  some  of  them  were  killed.  The  scouting  party  recovered  the 
clothes  and  scalps  of  those  killed  at  the  Potts  place,  which  were  iden- 
tified by  the  friends  of  the  slain. 

At  an  early  day  a  store  was  kept  by  John  Nesbit  about 
three  miles  north  of  the  present  Statesville,  in  clo.se  prox- 
imity to  the  Potts  families.  This  store  was  continued  tmtil 
the  founding  of  Statesville  in  1788,  when  it  was  removed  to 
the  new  town.  Some  of  the  old  legers,  still  preserved,  fell 
into  the  po.sse.ssion  of  the  late  Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell,  D.  D. 
Numerous  accounts  with  different  Potts'  are  found,  .such  as 

James  Potts,  Sr. ,  and  James  Potts,  Jr.,    1792-4. 
William  Potts,  Sr. ,  and  William  Potts,  Jr.,    1792-4. 
Robert  Potts,   son  of  William,  saddler,    179 1-4. 
William  Potts,  saddler,    1794. 
Henry  Potts,  son  of  James,   1791. 
William  Potts,  .son  of  James,    1793. 
Widow  Potts,  1 79 1,  and  Ann  Potts,    1793. 

As  some  of  these  names  were  common  to  all  the  familes, 
it  is  not  always  possible  to  identify  individuals  mentioned 
here  and  elsewhere  from  time  to  time.  Among  those  not 
positively  identified,  mentioned  by  Dr.  Rockwell,  was  one 
William  Potts,  who  had  children  Eli,  James,  (called  lame 
James),  Pamelia,  Sophia,  Emeline  and  Dora.  Sophia  died 
from  exposure  on  the  cold  Saturday  in  February,  1835, 
while  winnowing  oats  in  the  barn.  Emeline  married  one 
Summers  and  died  before  1885.  Several  members  of  the 
Potts  family  married  Halls. 

These  families  of  Potts  all  seem  to  have  been  of  the  same 


368  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

connedlion.     There  were  other  Potts'   in  the  County  who 
seem  to  have  been  quite  distindt. 

Thomas  Potts  appears  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Rowan 
County  about  1753  or  '54.  He  is  thought  to  have  lived  in 
the  Jersey  settlement,  where  Potts  Creek  *  empties  into  the 
Yadkin  River.  This  locality  is  now  included  in  Davidson 
County  and  is  north  east  of  Salisbury. 

Jeremiah  Potts,  of  Rowan  County,  died  about  1822  or '23, 
leaving  a  will  dated  May  9,  1822,  and  proven  May  1823,  in 
which  he  mentions  his  wife  Verlider.  Among  his  personal 
effedls  are  included  a  lot  of  cooper  and  carpenter  tools.  [See 
Will  Book  H  P,  page  280,  at  Salisbury] . 

George  Potts,  of  the  same  County,  died  about  1825  or '26, 
leaving  a  will  dated  July  20,  1823,  and  proved  February 
1826,  in  which  he  names  his  children  Hamblin,  Jeremiah, 
Josiah,  Cresce}",  Nancy,  Rebecca  and  Sally.  [See  Will 
Book  H  P,  page  328,  at  Salisbury] . 

It  is  probable  that  Moses,  John,  Henry  and  James  Potts 
were  near  of  kin,  possibly  brothers  or  cousins.  They  and 
their  descendants  will  be  treated  of  in  the  next  succeeding 
Chapters. 


*  Note.    In  Davidson  County,  which  was  formed  from  Rowan  County,  are  two 
small  streams  still  known  as  First  and  Second  Potts  Creeks. 


MosKS  Potts,  ok  North  Cardi.in.v.  369 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 


Moses  Potts,  of  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina. 


1  MOSES  POTTS  is  said  to  have  emigrated  from  Ire- 
land and  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania.*  He  seems  to  have 
located  in  Derrv  Township,  Lancaster  [now  Danphin] 
Coiuit}',  where  he  appears  as  a  taxable  for  tlie  year  1751. 
The  tax-list  for  1755  does  not  contain  his  name,  but  it 
appears  in  that  for  1757.  He  removed,  perha]is  along-  with 
many  others,  to  Rowan  County,  North  CaroHna.  The  date 
of  his  removal  was  probably  shortly  after  1751.  He  settled 
on  Fourth  Creek,  about  four  miles  above  the  present  States- 
ville.  His  name  appears  on  the  map  of  the  Fourth  Creek 
Presbyterian  Congregation  in  1773.  Iredell  County  was 
formed  in  1788,  and  Moses  Potts  was  included  within  the 
limits  of  the  new  County. 

He  married,  first,  Jane  McKee,  who  died  in  North  Caro- 
lina. He  married,  second,  Elizabeth  Neeh-.  He  removed 
to  Bowling  Green  District,  Oglethorpe  County,  Georgia, 
perhaps  before  the  close  of  the  century,  and  died  there. 
Perhaps  there  were  other  children  beside  those  named  below. 

Children  of  Moses  and  Jane  (McKee  )  Potts. 

2  William  Potts,  m.  ist, McWhorter;  m.  2(1,  Scott. 

3  James  Potts,  m. . 

4  Sarah  Potts,   b.  1755;  m.  Henry  Morrison,  1772.      It  is  related  by 

Rev.  Dr.  Rockwell,  that  JMorrison  took  Miss  Tolts,  ayed  17,  on 
horseback  behind  him,  and  went  off  across  several  streams. 
South  Yadkin  for  one,  and  were  married  by  Rt\ .  John  McRay 
of  Delaware,  who  was  then  visitinc^  his  brother  in  X.  Carolina. 
A  daughter  married  Willis  Gray  and  died  at  nearly  93  years. 

5  Mary  Potts.     Died  in  Gwinnett  County,  Georgia. 

*  Note.     The  record  of  Moses  Potts'  family,  here  given,  is  very  iiieayrer  and  in- 
complete.    His  descendants  claimed  relationship  wi'th  the  oilier  I'otts'  of  Iredell. 

47 


370  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ChII.DRKN  of  MOSICS  AND  Kl,I/.ABHTH  (NKKI^Y)  POTTS. 

6  Henry  Potts,  m.  Unity  Mcllhannon 

7  Jane  Potts. 

8  Elizabeth  Potts. 

9  Rebecca  Potts.     Died  in  Clarke  County,  Georgia. 

10  Stephen  Potts.     Died  in  DeKalb  County,  Georgia. 

11  Samuel  Potts,  b.  ;    d.  1S49;  m.  Sarah  Brown, 

12  Moses  Potts.     Died  in  Heard  County,  Georgia. 


2  William  Potts, ^  (Moses.'),  son  of  Moses  and  Jane 
(McKee)  Potts,  was  probably  born  abotit  1750.  He  mar- 
ried, first,  a  McWhorter.     He  married,  .second,  Scott. 

The  names  of  only  two  children  have  been  given.       He  is 
said  to  have  removed  to  Jackson  County,  Georgia.* 

Children  of  Wiij,iam  and —  (McWhorter)  Potts. 

13  There  is  said  to  have  been  but  one  child  by  this  marriage. 

Children  of  William  and (Sco'rr)  Potts. 

14  Thomas  Potts.     Was  living  in  Coweta  County,  Ga.,  in  1884. 

15  Mary  Ann  Potts,  m. Anderson.     In  Coweta  County,  1884. 

3  James  Potts, ^  (Moses,'),  son  of  Mo.ses  and  Jane 
(McKee)  Potts,  was  born  perhaps  after  1750.  The  name 
of  his  wife  has  not  been  furnished.  He  is  said  to  have  re- 
mained in  Iredell  County  to  the  end  of  his  life.  There  may 
have  been  other  children  beside  those  named  below. 


*  Note.  One  (i)  William  Potts  (who  Rev.  Dr.  Rockwell  says  was  a  brother  of 
Lame  James)  had  a  son  (2)  Willi.\m  Potts,  born  April  6,  1792.  The  mother  is 
said  to  have  been  Ann  Allison. 

2  William  Potts,  the  son,  was  known  as  Major  Potts.  He  married  Jane  C. 
Knox  in  1828.  There  is  still  in  existence  an  old  letter,  written  in  1828,  by  the  son  to 
his  father  in  Jackson  County,  Georgia,  describing;  his  marriage  to  Miss  Knox. 
He  died  Odtober  i.^,  1S35.     They  had  children  as  follows, 

3  Marv  Elizabeth  Potts,  b.  Feb.  11,  1S29;  d.  May  9,  iS;,o. 

4  John  Knox  Potts,  b.  Aug.  13,  18^,2;  d.  March  2'o,  18S7;   m.  Mary  Louisa  Brown. 

5  Jane  Ann  Potts,  b.  Nov.'  i9,'iS35:  d.  Aug.  23,  1867;  m.  Andrew  J.  Hrowii. 

4  John  Knox  Potts  was  a  teacher,  farmer  and  merchant.  During  the  Civil 
War  he  entered  the  Confederate  Armv  as  a  private  and  rose  to  a  Captaincy.  He 
married  Mary  Loui.sa  Urown,  of  Salisb'urv,  July  27,  1852.  He  died  at  Mobile,  Ala., 
March  20,  1887.     His  widow  lives  at  Asheville,  N.  C. 


Moses  Potts,  of  North  Carolina.  371 

Children  ok  James  and ( )  Potts. 

1 6  Milas  Potts,  m.     Stevenson. 

17  James  I'otts,     Removed  to  Cherokee  County,  North  Carolina. 

6  Henry  Potts, ^  (Moses/ ),  son  of  Moses  and  Elizabeth 
(Neely)  Potts,  married  Unity  McElhannon.  Her  father  is 
said  to  have  come  from  Ireland  and  married  Elizabeth  Coop- 
er in  Pennsylvania.  She  is  said  to  have  been  of  Scottish 
descent.     They  removed  to  Jackson  County,  Georgia. 

Children  of  Henry  and  Unity  (McElhannon)  Potts. 

18  Moses  H.  Potts.     Died  in  Mississippi. 

19  John  McElhannon  Potts.     Died  in  Arkansas. 

20  Elizabeth  Potts.     Died  in  Jackson  County,  Georgia. 

21  James  M.  Potts,  b.  1813;  living,   18S4,  in  Jackson  County,  Ga.  * 

22  Hugh  Potts.     Died  at  Richmond,  Virginia. 

23  Andrew  Jackson  Potts.     Removed  to  Arkansas. 

24  Cicero  C.  Potts.     Died  in  Mis.sissippi. 

25  Cjmthia  B.  Potts,  m.  Pitman.     Living  in  18S4. 

II  Samuel  Potts, ^  (Moses,*),  son  of  Moses  and  Eliza- 
beth (Neely)  Potts,  was  born  about  1769,  probably  in  Row- 
an (now  Iredell)  County,  North  Carolina.  He  removed  to 
Bowling  Green  District,  Oglethorpe  County,  Georgia.  He 
married  Sarah  Brown.  He  was  a  farmer,  owning  a  large 
tract  of  land  and  many  negroes.  He  died  in  1849,  aged 
about  eighty  years. 

Children  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Potts. 

26  Elizabeth  Neel}-  Potts,  m.  Samuel  John  Povi'er.     Children. 

27  Mary  A.  Potts,  m.  Theopholis  Simington. 

28  Napoleon  Bonaparte  Potts,  b. ;  d.  187 1;  m.  Susanna  Hodges. 


28     Napoleon  Bonaparte  Potts, ^    (Samuel,^  Moses,'), 
son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Potts,  was  born,  probably, 

*  Notk.    The  compiler  is  indebted  to  James  M.  Potts  for  valuable  information 
communicated  in  1884.    He  then  resided  at  Jefferson,  Georgia. 


372 


The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


in  Bowlini;"  C'.reen  Districl,  Oglethorpe  Coimt>-,  Georgia. 
He  inherited  a  portion  of  the  paternal  estate.  He  married 
Susanna  Hodges.  During  the  Civil  War,  the  farm  was  rent- 
ed out.  and  many  articles  were  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
house  and  among  them  Moses  Potts'  family  Bible.  Shortly 
afterwards  the  house  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  Bible  dis- 
appeared, iMit  whether  destroyed  or  carried  off  is  unknown. 
Napoleon  V>.  I'otts,  removed  to  Watkinsville  and  died  in 
1 87 1.      TliL-  surviving  children  live  at  Atlanta. 

Chii,i)ki;n  111-  N.A.Poi,EON  B.  and  vSusanna  (Hodges)  Potts. 

29  Sarah  Thunias  Potts  32     John  Potls. 

30  Josf])hine  Potts.  33     Cornelia  Susan  Potts. 

31  I'lavius  Potts,   (1.  y. 


A  Pedigree  of  Moses  Potts'  Family. 


-William    —  McWlioiter- 
Scott 

-Thomas  Potts 

:mosks  1' 

iTTS 

lA.M- 

IMcKee— 

-Mary  Ann  Polls 

-ISIilas  Potts=     Stevenson 
-James  Potts 

-JillllCS  ^ 

-Sarah=IIeiirv  Morrison 

-Mary  Potts 

-Moses  H.  Potls 

-John  McElhannon  Polts 

-Henry     Unity  McHlhan- 

-Elizabeth  Potls 

[non 

-Tames  M.  Potts 

-Jane  Potts 

-Hugh  Polls 

Ki.iza'h 

-Andrew  Jackson  Potts 

1 N  EELY— 

-Elizabeth  Pott.s 
-Rebecca  Pott.s 
-Stephen  Potts 

-Samuel=Sarah  Brown  — 
-Moses  Potts 

-Cicero  C.  Potts 
-Cynthia  B.= Pitujan 

-Elizabeth  N.  =  S.  J.  Power 
-Mary  .\.  =  The.Simington 
-Napoleon  B. ^Susaniia 

[Hodges 

Saiab  Tlioma.s        Josephine        Flavins        John        Cornelia  Susan 


John  Potts,  of  North  Carolina.     .  373 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 


John  Potts,  of  IrecJell  County,  North  Carolina. 


I  JOHN  POTTS  is  said  to  have  been  a  brother  of 
Moses  Potts,  and  to  have  removed  with  him  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  North  CaroHna.  He  later  removed  to  Georgia  and 
died  in  Jasper  County.  His  wife's  name  has  not  been  fur- 
nished. James  M.  Potts,  a  grandson  of  Moses  Potts,  says 
he  often  heard  his  father  speak  of  his  "  Aunt  Ann  Potts," 
but  does  not  know  whether  she  was  a  sister  or  sister-in-law 
of  Moses  Potts.  There  ma}^  have  been  other  children  be- 
side those  named  below. 

Chii^dre-x  of  John  ani> ( )  Potts. 

2  James  Potts,   b.  1747;  d.  .Sep.  17,  1S45;  m. 

3  Henry  Potts, 

4  Stephen  Potts,  m.  (?)  Margaret  Potts. 

5  Jane  Potts. 


2  James  Potts, ^  (John,'),  son  of  John  Potts,  is  said  to 
have  been  born  about  1747.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  He  married,  raised  a  family  and  died  vSep. 
16,  1845,  hi  his  ninty-eighth  year. 

Chii,dren  oi''  Jamks  .^nd ( )  Potts. 

6  Stephen  Potts.  9     James  Potts 

7  Aloses  Potts,  m.  10     Jane  Potts. 
S     William  Potts,  d.  in  ^^lonroe  Co.,  Ga. 

4     Stephen  Potts,-  (John,'),  .son  of  John  Potts,  isprob- 


374  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

ably  the  same  who,  his  descendants  say,  removed  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  Oglethorpe  Connt>-,  Georgia. '-■■-  When  he  was 
about  forty  years  old,  he  is  said  to  have  married  Margaret 
Potts,  a  cousin.  Perhaps  she  was  the  daughter  of  Henry 
Potts.  [vSee  No.  5,  page  376].  He  is  described  as  a  man 
of  fine  physique  and  great  activity.  He  acquired  quite  a 
large  estate  and  was  fond  of  gaming  and  horse-racing.  He 
was  thrown  from  his  horse  and  killed  about  the  year  1S18. 
He  and  his  wife  were  buried  side  by  side  in  Bowling  Green 
Distri(5t,  Oglethorpe  County.      No  tombstones  now  remain. 

Children  OF  Stephen  and  Margaret  (Potts)  Potts. 

1 1  Henry  Potts.     Removed  to  Lauderdale  County,  Mississipi. 

12  Stephen  Potts,  m.  Tillery. 

13  James  Potts.     Settled  in  Heard  County,  Georgia. 

14  Margaret  Potts,  m.  John  McWhorter,  of  Oglethorpe  Co.,  Ga. 


7  Moses  Potts,'  (James, ^  John, M,  son  of  James  Potts, 
married  and  settled  in  Troup  County,  Georgia,  where  many 
of  his  descendants  still  reside. 

Children  of  Moses  and ( ■)  Potts. 

15  William  Potts.      L.  C.   Potts,   a  son  of  William,    was  living  at 

Long  Cane,  Troup  County,  Georgia,  in  1884. 

16  Frank  M.  Potts.     Living  at  Atlanta  a  few  years  ago. 

12  Stephen  Potts, ^  (Stephen,*  John,'),  son  of  Stephen 
and  Margaret  (Potts)  Potts,  removed  from  Georgia  and  set- 
tled at  Centerville,  Bibb  County,  Alabama,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  merchandising,  and  accumulated  quite 

a  fortune.     He  married  Miss Tillery.     He  died  at 

Centerville  and  .she  at  lyivingston. 

Child  of  Stephen  and (Tillerv)  Potts. 

17  Henry  Potts,  b.  1800;  d.  Feb.  22,  1843;  ™-  Nancy  E.  Mims. 


*  Note.     A  tiadition  in  tlie  family  alleges  thai  he  was  born  in  1725. 


^Stephen  IVI.  f  otts. 


><nSAN  T.  HXURDIVANT-f  OTTS. 


Note. — The  above  portraits  are  enlarged  reproductions  of  miniature  Daguerreo- 
types made  April,  1850.  Mrs.  Potts  married  W.  W.  Hunt,  as  her  second  husband, 
in    1898. 


John  Potts,  of  North  Carolina.  375 

17     Henry  Potts, ^  (Stephen,' Stephen,^  John,'),  son  of 

Stephen  and (Tiller}')  Potts,   was  born  in  1800.     He 

married  Nancy  E.  Mims  about  1827  or  1828,  in  Perr)'  Coun- 
ty, Ala.  He  died  Feb.  22,  1843.  The  widow  died  April, 
1882,  at  Mobile. 

Child  ok  Hknry  and  Nancv  E.  (Mims)  Potts. 

18     Stephen  M.  Potts,    b.  Dec,  22,  1S30;   d,  Aug.  20,  1885;  ni.  .Susai> 
T.  Sturdivant, 


18  Stephen  M.  Potts, ^  (Henry,*  Stephen,'  Stephen,^ 
John,'),  son  of  Henry  and  Nancy  E.  (Mims)  Potts,  was 
born  Dec,  22.  1830,  in  Perry  County,  Ala.  He  married 
Susan  T.  Sturdivant,  April  24,  1S50.  They  lived  in  Ala- 
bama until  after  the  Civil  War,  when  they  removed  to 
Mansfield,  Desota  Parish,  Louisiana.  Mr.  Potts  was  much 
interested  in  family  history,  and  collected  considerable  da- 
ta concerning-  his  ancestors,  but  ill  health  prevented  him 
from  accomplishing-  what  he  desired.  He  died  August  20, 
1885,  aged  54  years,  8  mouths. 

Children  of  Stephen  M.  .\nd  Susan  T.  (Sturdivant)  Potts. 

19  Henry  Potts,  b,  1851.  22     Paul  Potts,    b.  1859. 

20  Stephen  Potts,  b.  1855.  23     Etta  E.  Potts,  b.  1862. 

21  Lillian  E.  Potts,  b.  185S. 

A  Pedigree  of  John  Potts'  Family. 


John  Potts^ 


III  I 

James  Potts=^  Henry  Pott.s  Stephen  Potts=Margaret  Potts        Jane  Potts 

I  I  


II            II 

Stephen            William 
Moses=            James 

1 
Jane 

WiUiam  Potts= 

1 

F 

rank  M. 

Potts 

1 
I,.  C.  Potts 

II  II 

Henry  Potts  James  Potts 

Stephen= TiUery     Marj^aret  Potts 

i 
Henry  Potts-  Nancy  H.  Mnns 


Stephen  M.  Potts=Susan  T.  Sturdivant 


Henry  Potts        Stephen  Potts        Lillian  E.  Potts         Paul  Potts  Etta  E.  Potts 


376  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


CHAPTICR    XXX. 


Henry  Potts,  of  Rowan  County,  North  Carolina. 

1  HENRY  POTTS  lived  on  Fourth  Creek  in  Rowan 
County,  North  CaroHna,  about  a  mile  above  Moses  Potts, 
and  four  or  five  miles  from  the  present  town  of  Statesville. 
This  sedlion  was  afterwards  included  in  Iredell  County. 
He  was  probably  a  farmer,  and  was  evidently  a  near  rela- 
tive of  Moses  and  John  Potts.  His  wife's  name  was  Mar- 
garet. He  died  in  1775.  His  will  recorded  in  Will-Book 
A,  pag-e  147,  at  Salisbury,  was  made  January  18,  1775,  and 
proven  May,  1775.  He  names  his  wife  Margaret  and  chil- 
dren James,  William,  Henry,  Margaret,  Mary  and  Sarah. 
Moses  Potts  was  a  subscribing  witness. 

Children  of  Henry  and  M.^rgaret  ( )  Potts. 

2  James  Potts.     He  is  said  to  have  removed  to  Tennessee  and  raised 

a  family.  One  James  Potts,  of  Williamson  Coiintj-,  Tennessee, 
probably  the  same,  was  pensioned  March  14,  1831.  His  age 
is  given  as  77  years.  It  is  also  stated  that  he  served  in  the 
North  Carolina  Line. 

3  William  Potts,  m.  Margaret  Purviance.     See  below. 

4  Henry  Potts.     He  is  said  to  have  settled  in  Ohio  and  died  unm. 

5  ZNIargaret  Potts.     Perhaps  .she  married  Stephen  Potts.    See  p.  373. 

6  Mary  Potts. 

7  Sarah  Potts. 


3  William  Potts,'  (Henry,'),  son  of  Henry  and  Mar- 
garet Potts,  married  Margaret  Purviance.  About  the  year 
1795,  he  removed  with  his  family  from  Iredell  County, 
North  Carolina,  to  Nicholas  County,  Kentucky.  Here  he 
and  each  of  his  sons  acquired  considerable  estates. 


Henry  Potts,  of  North  Carolina.  377 

CHir.DRKN  OF  WlLUAM  AND  MARGARET  (PURVIANCU)  PoTTS. 

S     Priscilla  Potts. 

9     Henry  T.  Potts,   b.  Sept.  6,  1790;  m.  ist,  Sarah  Archer;    2d,  Izza 
Plazelrigg;  3d,  Liza  Harney;  4th  Lorana  Alexander. 

10  James  Potts,  m.  Jane  Ritchie.  12     Sarah  Potts 

11  William  Potts,  m.  Elmira  Hall.  13     Margaret  Potts. 


9  Henry  T.  Potts,'  (William, ^  Henry,'),  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Margaret  (Purviaiice)  Potts,  was  born  September 
6,  1790,  in  Iredell  Count}-,  N.  C.  He  spent  most  of  his  life 
near  Carlisle,  Nicholas  County,  Kentucky.  He  married, 
first,  Sarah  Archer ;  second.  Izza  Hazelrigg ;  third,  I^iza 
Harney  ;  and  fourth,  L,orana  Alexander.  Some  of  the  chil- 
dren removed  to  Boone  County,  Ind.,  and  some  to  Boone 
Coiuit}-,  Mo.,  others  remained  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky. 

Chii,d  of  Henry  T.  and  Sarah  (Archer)  Potts. 

14  John  Archer  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  about  1S67;  Boone  County,  Ind. 

Children  of  Henry  T.  and  Izza  (  Hazelrigg)  Potts. 

15  James  H.  Potts,  b. ;  d.  OcT;.  1882;  Boone  County,  Indiana. 

16  Joshua  G.  Potts.  18     Caroline  Potts. 

17  William  H.  Potts.  19     PVancis  Potts. 

Children  of  Henry  T.  and  Liza  (Harney)  Potts. 
20     Oliver  S.  Potts.  21     Izza  Potts. 

Children  of  Henry  T.  and  Lorana  (Alexander)  Potts. 

22  Jesse  B.  Potts.     Married  and  has  children. 

23  Robert  H.  Potts.     Married  and  has  children. 

24  Lee  Taylor  Potts.     Children,   i  Henry  M.,   2  Edna  S. 

25  Mattie  S.  Potts,  m. Donnell. 

26  Tilford  T.  Potts.     Died  at  the  age  of  ten  years. 

27  Charles  B.  Potts.  29     Sarah  A.  Potts. 

28  Garret  D.  Potts.  30     N.  Franklin  Potts. 

10  James  Potts, '  (William, '  Henry,'),  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Purviance)  Potts,  lived  in  Nicholas  County, 
Kentucky.  He  married  Jane  Ritchie.  Mo.st  of  his  children 
removed  from  the  Count}', 

48 


378 


The  Potts  Family  in  America. 


Children  of  James  and  Jane  (Ritchie)  Potts. 

31  William  R.  Potts.       34     Sallie  A.  Potts.        37     Henry  Potts. 

32  Nancy  Potts.  35     Liza  Potts.  38    James  Potts. 

33  Almarinda  Potts.        36     Leah  Potts.  39     Margaret  Potts. 

13  William  Potts, 3  (William, ^  Henry, »),  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Margaret  (Purviance)  Potts,  resided  in  Nicholas 
County,  Kentuck}-.     He  married  Elmira  Hall. 


Children  of  William  and  Elmira  (Hall)  Potts. 


40  Robert  W.  Potts. 

41  Henry  T.  Potts. 

42  Walter  S.  Potts. 

43  Sarah  Potts. 


Was  Sheriff  of  Nicholas  County,  Kentucky. 

44  Mary  Potts.  47     Cynthia  Potts. 

45  Margaret  Potts. 

46  Su.san  Potts. 


A  Pedigree  of  Henry  Potts'  Family. 


-Jame.s  Potts 


■WiUiain  — Margaret 

[Purv'iance- 


-Henry  Potts 


•Margaret  Potts 


-Mary  Potts 


-Henry  T.=^Sarah  Archer — John  A.  Potts 


Izza  Ilazel- 

[rigg— 


-James  H.  Potts 
-Joshua  (t.  Potts 
-William  H.   Potts 
-Caroline  Potts 
-Francis  Potts 


=  Liza  Harney— [-Oliver  S.  Potts 
I  -Izza  Potts 


=Lorana  Alex- 
[ander 


-Priscilla  Potts 


-Sarah  Potts 


-Janies=Jane  Ritchie 


-Margaret  Potts 


■Williani  -Klniira  Hall- 


Charles  B.  Potts 
Jesse  B.  Potts 
Garret  D.  Potts 
Robert  H.   Potts 

-Sarah  A.  Potts 
Lee  Taylor  Potts 
Mattie  S.  Potts. 
N.  Franklin  Potts 

-Tilford  T.  Potts 

-William  R.  Potts 
-Nancy  Potts 
-Almarinda  Potts 
-Sallie  A.  Potts 
-Liza  Potts 
-Leah  Potts 
-Henry  Potts 
-James  Potts 
-Margaret  Potts 

-Robert  W.  Potts 
-Henry  T.  Potts 
-Walter  S.  Potts 
-Sarah  Potts 
-Mary  Potts 
-Margaret  Potts 
-Snsan  Potts 
-Cynthia  Potts 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.     379 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburgf  County,  North  Carolina. 


Tlie  history  of  the  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  North 
Carolina,  presents  an  interesting  field  for  the  genealogist. 
The  compiler  hereof  has  only  been  able  to  secure  partial  and 
very  brief  abstracts  of  the  public  records  of  that  section. 
It  is  believed  that  a  careful  examination  of  the  County  rec- 
ords of  Rowan,  Iredell  and  Mecklenburg  would  reveal  much 
information,  and  perhaps  show  other  connecting  links  and 
develop  a  clearer  showing  of  the  earlier  generations  than  is 
given  below.  The  compiler  of  this  work  was  ver>'  fortu- 
nate in  having  had,  3-ears  ago,  correspondence  with  several 
aged  members  of  the  family,  who  are  now  deceased,  and 
who  gave  much  valuable  information.  The  traditions  of 
descendants  all  agree  in  alleging  that  their  Potts  ances- 
tors went  from  Pennsylvania  to  North  Carolina.  One  tra- 
dition alleges  that  they  went  south  from  about  Philadelphia, 
and  another  that  they  were  from  Pottsville.  There  is,  how- 
ever, nothing  to  show  any  connection  with  any  of  the  Potts' 
of  southeastern  Pennsylvania. 

I  JAMES  POTTS  is  found  on  Fourth  Creek,  Rowan 
[now  Iredell]  County,  North  Carolina,  sometime  after  1750. 
He  lived  above  the  Moses  and  Henry  Potts'  places,  and  was 
probabl}^  a  near  relative  of  these — at  least  their  descendants 
claimed  to  be  cousins.  On  April  12,  1763,  James  Potts,  de- 
scribed as  of  Rowan  County,  purchased  from  Edward  Fan- 
ning, a  tract  of  443  acres  of  land  in  Mecklenburg  County, 
He  died  about  1781.  In  his  will  dated  July  16,  1781,  he 
mentions  his  children,  John,  William,  James  and  Jane. 


jSo  The  Potts  P\\mily  in  America, 

Chii.dken  ok  Jamks  and ( )  Potts. 

2  John  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1783;  ni.  twice. 

3  William  Potts,  b. ;  d.  Nov.  29,  iSoo;  m.  Lydia  McCue. 

4  James  Potts.  5     Jane  Potts. 


2  John  Potts, 2  ( James, ^),  son  of  James  Potts,  seems  to 
be  the  same  v^ho,  on  Jan.  16,  1770,  conveyed  636  acres  of 
land  in  Mecklenburg  County,  to  his  .son  Robert  Potts.  Both 
are  described  as  of  that  County.  He  was  twice  married. 
In  his  will,  dated  May  i,  17S3,  he  mentions  his  children, 
James,  William,  Robert  and  Margaret. 

Children  ov  John  and ( )  Potts. 

6    James  Potts,  m.  Sarah  Tinon.  7     Margaret  Potts 

Children  of  John  and ( )  Potts. 

S     William  Potts,  m.  Margaret  McKeown. 
9     Robert  Potts,  m.  Elizabeth  McKeown. 

3  William  Potts, ==  (James,'),  son  of  James  Potts,  seems 
to  be  the  same  who  married  L3:dia  McCue,  Nov.  11,  1779. 
On  January  13,  1778,  James  Potts  conveyed  550  acres  of 
land  in  Mecklenburg  County  to  William  Potts.  Perhaps 
this  was  a  conveyance  from  father  to  son.  He  died  Nov. 
29,  1800.  In  his  will  dated  Nov.  21,  1800,  he  mentions 
his  wife  L,ydia  and  his  children  James,  William  and  Mary. 
Lydia  Potts,  the  widow,  married  Col.  Geo.  Graham  in  1802. 

Children  of  W^illian  and  Lydia  (McCue)  Potts. 

10  Mar\- Potts,  b.  November — ,  17S0. 

11  James  Potts,  b.  March  23,  1783;  d.  Nov.  4,  1827;  m.  JIary  A. 

12  William  Potts.     No  further  account. 

4  James  Potts, ^  (James,')  son  of  James.  Of  him  no 
definite  account  has  been  learned.  It  is  probable  that  he 
left  descendants,  as  there  were  those  not  otherwise  account- 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  >3.  C.  38^ 

••ed  for,  and  who  will  be  mentioned  in  the  latter  part  of  this 
Chapter. 


6  James  Potts.,'^  Qoh!!,^  James, •^),  son  of  John  Potts, 
t)}'  his  first  wife,  married  Sarah  Tinon  or  Tinnen,  In  the 
latter  part  of  his  life  he  lived  with  his  son  Robert. 

Children  of  J.\mes  and  vSarah  (Tinon)  Potts. 

13  Henry  Potts,  m.  Margaret  Henry. 

14  Robert  Potts,   d,  1793,  in  Penns3-lvania  while  taking  cattle  from 

North  Carolina  to  Philadelphia.     Unmarried. 

15  William  Potts,  b.  about  1770;  d.  1S39;  m.  Margaret  Anderson. 

16  Ann  Potts,  m,  Ephraim  vShurrell. 

17  Sarah  Potts,  m.  Thomas  Henry. 

8  William  Potts,'  (John,*  James, ^)  son  of  John  Potts, 
by  his  second  wife,  was  a  farmer  or  planter  and  slave-halder. 
He  married  Margaret  McKeown. 

CHILDliEN  OF  \VlIJ,IAM  AND  M.ARG.'VRET  (McKEOWN)  POT^.'S. 

x8  Robert  Potts,  m,  Jane  Witherspoon. 

19  Benjamin  Potts,  m.  Margaret  Witherspoon, 

20  Absalom  Potts,  d.  num. 

21  David  Potts,  b.  17S0;  d.  Nov.  17,  1S45;  m.  Martha  Brady.    They 

lived  near  Concord  Presbyterian  Church.       They   had   three 
daughters  and  perhaps  other  children. 

22  Elizabeth  Jane  Potts,  m.  Isaac  Witherspoon.     Children,    i  Mar- 

garet,  2  William,  3  Elizabeth. 

23  Cynthia  Potts,  m.  William  Fortune. 


9  Robert  Potts,'  (John,- James, ^),  sou  of  John  Potts, 
by  his  second  wife,  married  Elizabeth  McKeown.  In  1770, 
his  father  conveyed  to  him,  by  deed,  636  acres  of  land  in 
Mecklenburg  Cotmty.  He  was  a  man  of  wealth,  but  re- 
quired each  of  his  sons  to  learn  a  trade. 

Children  of  Robert  .\nd  Elizabeth  (McKeown)  Potts. 

24  Robert  Potts,  b.  17S5;  d.  1S59;  m.  Nancy  R.  Gillespie. 

25  Jonathan  Potts,  b. ;  d.  1S36;   m.  Cynthia  Bryson. 


382  The  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 

26  James  Potts.  29     Edwin  Potts. 

27  John  Potts.  30     Arm  Potts. 
2.S  Epliraim  Potts.  31     Eliza  Potts. 


II     James  Potts,'  (William,^  James,'),   son  of  William 
and  Lydia  (McCue)  Potts,  was  born  March  23,  1783.       He 

married  Mary  A. .     She  was  born  Nov.  9,  1780.     He 

died  Nov.  4,  1827. 

Children  of  J.\mes  and  M.'^ry  A.  ( )  Potts. 

32  Mary  A.  Potts,    b.  Nov.  19,  1804;    d.  May  9,  1825;  ni.  John  Pat- 

33  L,ydia  h.  Potts,  b.  April  i,  1S07;  d.  May  4,  j8o8.  [terson, 

34  Betsey  C.  Potts,    b.  April,  1809;   m.  William  Patterson.       Chil- 

dren,  I  John,   2  Margaret,  3  James,   4.  Lenora,  5  Banna. 

35  William  G.  Potts,  b.  May  31,  1818;  d.  Aug.  3.  1S65;  m.  Rebecca 

Torreiice. 


13  Henry  Potts, ^  (James,' John, ^  James'},  son  of  James 
and  Sarah  (Tinon)  Potts,  married  Margaret  Henr}-. 

Children  of  Henry  and  Margaret  (Henry)  Potts. 

36  Henderson  Potts.  39     John  Potts.  42     Emeline  Potts. 

37  Wilson  Potts.  40     Sarah  Potts. 

38  Lawson  Potts.  41     Nicely  Potts. 

15  William  Potts,*  (James,'  John,^  James,*),  son  of 
James  and  Sarah  (Tinon)  Potts,  was  born  about  1770.  He 
was  a  saddler  by  trade  and  was  commonly  known  as  ' '  Sad- 
dler Billy."  He  lived  about  two  miles  from  Concord  Pres- 
byterian Church  for  many  years,  but  about  1832  or  '33  he 
and  all  his  family  removed  to  Sumner  County,  Tennessee. 
In  the  Spring  of  1835,  he  and  his  family,  except  his  sons 
Thomas  and  Robert,  removed  to  Jersey  County,  Illinois, 
where  he  took  up  land  and  became  a  well-to-do  farmer.  He 
married  Margaret  Anderson,  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth (Maben)  Anderson,  Sept.  9,  1799,  in  Iredell  Co.,  N.C. 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.     3S3 

Chii.dren  of  Wit.liam  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Potts. 

43  Elizabeth  M.  Potts,   b.  July  17,  iSoo;  d.  OS:.  25,  1S83;  unni. 

44  James  Anderson  Potts,    b.  Feb'y  6,  1S02;    d.  April  18,  1857;    m. 

Jane  A.  Anderson. 

45  Robert  Maben  Potts,  b.  June  16,  1S04;  d.  Ma}-  29,  1S74;   m.   ist, 

Aseneth  Adams',  m.  2d,  Clarissa  Hart. 

46  Franklin  Potts,  b.  0&..  —    1S06;  d.  Sept.  10,1835, 

47  Sidney  A.  Potts,  b.  Sept.  18,  1808;  d.  April  27,  1857. 

48  Thomas  E.  Potts,   b.  Dec.  10,  1810;  m.  Sarah  F.  Dennis. 

49  Sarah  T,  Potts,  b.  May  10,  1813;  d.  Feb.  — ,  1837. 

50  William  C.  Potts,   b.  August  5,  1815;  d.  Sept.  11,  1835. 

51  George  \V.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  — ,  1818;  m.  Phebe  Anderson. 

18  Robert  Potts/  (William, ^  John,^  James,»),  son  of 
William  and  Margaret  (McKeownj  Potts,  married  Jane 
Wither.spoon,  Aiigu.st  23,  1791. 

Chii,dren  of  Robert  and  Jane  (Witherspoon)  Potts. 

52  Elizabeth  Potts,   b.  ;  d.  1864;  m.  Maxwell  Hall. 

53  Delilah  Potts. 

54  Melissa  Potts,  m.  G.  B.  Tandy. 

55  Jane  Potts,  b.  1800;  m.  Thomas  Fortune. 

56  Cynthia  Potts,  b.  1803;  m.  Nesbit. 

57  McKeown  A.  Potts,  b.  1806;  m.  Susan  Hall. 

58  Caroline  Potts,  b.  1812;  m.  1st,  m.  2d  Luther  Morrison. 

59  John  M.  Potts,   b.  1814;  m,  Em.  Begaly. 

24  Robert  Potts,*  (Robert'  John,^  James, ^),  son  of 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  (McKeown)  Potts,  was  born  May  2, 
1785.  He  married  Nancj-  R.  Gillespie.  She  was  born  Feb. 
II,  1794,  and  died  Feb.  5,  1845.     He  died  Nov.  20,  1859. 

Children  of  Robert  and  Nancy  R.  (Gili^espie)  Potts. 

60  James  A.  G.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  12,  1812;  d.  Aug.  18S8.      Removed  to 

Lincoln  County  and  raised  a  large  family. 

61  Ephraim  Potts,  b.  Feb.  25,  1814;  d.  Feb.  25,  1814. 

62  Zebulon  M.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  8,  1815;  d.  Sept.  5,  1843. 

63  Esther  E.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  10,  1817;  d.  Nov.  17,  1818. 

64  Charles  Stanhope  Potts,  b.  Dec.  29,  1818;    m. 

65  Nancy  Potts,  b.  Jan.  5,  1822;  m.  Gillespie. 

66  Julius  R.  Potts,   b.  Jan.  2,  1826;  d.  1863,  in  the  army. 

67  Thomas  Espy  Potts,  b.  Sept.  18,  1829;  m.  White. 

68  William  W.  Potts,  b.  March  22,  1833;  ^-  Sept.  18,  1835. 


5^4'  The  Poti's  Family  in  America. 

25  Jonathan  Potts, ^  (Robert,'  John,=^  Jomes.')  son  of 
Rolx^rt  and  Elizabeth  (McKeown),  Potts,  married  Cynthia 
Brj'son,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Nancy  (Davidson)  Bryson. 
He  learned  the  trade  of  a  saddler,  but  engaged  in  farming 
and  was  a  slave-holder.  Pie  removed  to  Bil>b  Coirnty,  Ala- 
bama, arni  settled  near  Cetitrevnlle.  He  died  in  1H36,  near 
Columbus,  Mississippi. 

Chimikhn  of  Jonathan  and  Cynthia  (Brv.son;'  T'o'Tts. 

69  Harriet  Potts-,  m.  Asa  Blake. 

70  Clementine  Potts. 

71  Alfred  Potts,  m. 

72  Caroline  Potts,  ni.  ist,  Trucks-;  in.  2rl,  Benjamin  F".  Glass. 

Child,  Frank  Potts  Glass,  who  married  Mattie  Byrd  PurnelL 
and  has  children  i  John  Purnell,  2  Christine.  PVank  P.  Gla^. 
was  educated  at  Princeton  College,  ami  i.s  oi>e  of  the  publisii- 
ers  of  the  Montgomery  Advertiser  of  Atlanta. 

73  Jean  Potts,  m.  Jackson  Trucks.     Children,   i  James,   2  William. 

3  Lou'sa,  4  Frances. 

74  Mary  Lucinda  Potts,  ni.  J.  Hampton  Pratt.    Re.s..  Hemphill,  Tex. 

75  Henrj^  Potts. 

76  Martha  Potts,  ra.  Benjamin  F.  Glass. 

77  John  Potts,   d.  y. 

35  William  G.  Potts, <  (James,'  William,^  James, i), 
son  of  James  and  Mary  A.  Potts,  was  born  May  31,  181 8. 
He  married  Rei^ecca  Torrence,  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Catharine  Torrence,  Feb.  14,  1839.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
resided  about  seven  miles  from  David.son  College.  He  died 
August  3,  1865. 

CHII^DREN  of  WlI.LIAM  G.  AND  REBECCA  (ToRRENCE)  POTTS. 

78  James  Monroe  Potts,  b.  Dec.  11,  1839;   d.  Sept.  21,  1S69;   m.  ist. 

Nannie  C.  Torrence;  m.  2d,  Lottie  C.  Colby. 

79  Law-son  A.  Potts,  b.  Aug.  14,  1841;  d.  May  3,  18S6;  m.  Emma  A. 

Johnston. 
So    Sidney  X.  Potts,  b.  April  24,  1844. 

81  Mary  Ann  Potts,  b.  Nov.  11,  1845;  ™-  Jol^n  L-  Jetton. 

82  Catharine  J.  M.  Potts,  b.  Dec.  3,  1847;  d.  May  27,  1868. 

83  William  H.  Potts,   b.  August  10,  1849;   m.  Anne  Caldwell. 
94    John  M.  Potts,  b.  Dec.  26,  1S50;  d.  May  5,  1865. 

85     Elizabeth  A.  Potts,  b.  May  23,  1852;  m.  F.  J.  Knox. 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.     385 

86  Francis  W.  Potts,   b.  May  13,  1854;  d.  Jan.  14,  1884;  unm. 

87  Rebecca  L.  Potts,  b.  Feb.  i,  1856;  m.  Dr.  Samuel  Abernathy. 

88  Annie  Bona  Potts,  b.  June  20,  1857. 

89  Maggie  O.  Potts,  b.  0<5l.  7,  1858;  d.  August  5,  1881. 

90  Beuregard  N.  Potts,  b.  Sept.  7,  1861;  d.  June  8,  1862. 


44  James  Anderson  Potts, -^  (William,*  James,' John,* 
James, M,  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Potts, 
was  born  Feb.  6,  1802,  in  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina. 
About  1826,  he  removed  to  Sumner  County,  Tennessee,  and 
later  to  Jersey  County,  Illinois.  He  was  for  many  years, 
Surveyor  for  the  latter  County,  and  was  commonly  known 
as  ' '  Judge  Potts."  He  and  his  wife  were  among  the  found- 
ers of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Jersej^ville.  He  was  one 
of  the  Ruling  Elders  from  the  organization  of  the  Church 
until  his  death.  He  married  Jane  A.  Anderson,  (a  coiisin), 
Dec.  1832,  in  Sumner  County,  Tennessee.  He  died  April 
18,  1S57,  of  pneumonia.     His  wife  died  Sept.  — ,  1852. 

Children  of  James  A.  and  Jane  A.  (Anderson)  Potts. 

91  William  Alexander  Potts,    b.  061.  10,  1833;   d.  Nov.  i,  1889;  m. 

Sarah  Jane  Lemmou. 

92  Thomas  Franklin  Potts,    b.   Feb.  17,  1836;  m.  Eliz'h  C.  Stryker. 

93  Margaret  Phebe  Potts,    b.   Nov. — ,  1838.  m.  Newton  M.  Dennis. 

94  Sarah  Elizabeth  Potts,   b.  1840;   d.   1S71;   m.  David  A.  Compton, 

i860.     Son,   Russell. 

95  Mary  Jane  Potts,    b.   1843;   d.   1S74;   m.   Frederick  H.  Harrison, 

1865.     Son,  James. 

45  Robert  Maben  Potts,'  (William,*  James,'  John,* 
James, ^),  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Potts, 
was  born  June  16,  1804.  He  removed  to  Hartsville,  Ten- 
nessee, about  1830.  On  Sept.  26,  1833,  he  married  Aseneth 
Adams,  of  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina.  She  died  Jan. 
20,  1 84 1.  He  married,  second,  Clarissa  Elizabeth  Hart, 
Nov.  25,  1841.  Robert  M.  Potts  carried  on  the  saddlery 
and  Harness  business  for  some  forty  years  or  longer.       He 

49 


386  Tpie  PotTvS  Family  in  America. 

was  a  nieinber  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and 
of  the  Masonic  Fraternity.     He  died  May  31,  1874. 

CHir,D  OF  Robert  M.  and  Askneth  (Ai)am.s)  Potts. 

96  Margaret  A.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  5,  1S34;  d.  Jan.,  185S. 

Children  o-p  Robert  M.  and  Clarissa  E.  (Hart)  Potts. 

97  Amanda  Potts,  b.  1842;  m.  W.  Tandy  Hager,  186S.     Children,  i 

Clara,   2  Hattie,  3  Robert,  4  Oscar,  5  John,  6  Bettie. 
qS     Pinckney  Potts,  b.  April  6,  1844;  d.  June  13,  1844. 
99     Robert  Maben  Potts,  b.  Odl.  10,  1847;  m.  Bettie  King. 
100     Clarissa  H.  Potts,    b.  Sept.  20,  1849;    '^-  Nov.  23,  1S93;    m.  Rer. 

H.  A.  Jones.     Children,   i  Herbert,   2  Roberta,   3  PHlen. 
xoi     Marietta  A.  Potts,  b.  July  18,  1S51;  m.  G.  W.  Price.      Children, 
I  Clara,   2  Pearl. 


48  Thomas  E.  Potts, "^  (William,*  James.'  John,* 
James,'),  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Potts, 
was  born  Dec.  10,  18 10.  He  first  removed  to  Tennessee, 
where  he  engaged  extensiv^ely  in  tanning.  He  subsequent- 
ly removed  to  Brierfield,  Bibb  County,  Alabama,  where  he 
carried  on  a  large  tanning  and  shoe  nianufadltiring  btisiuess. 
He  married  Sarah  F.  Dennis,  daughter  of  Coleman  and  So- 
phia (Carlton)  Dennis,  Jan.  17,  1864. 

CH11.DREN  OF  Thomas  E.  and  Sarah  F.  (Dennis)  Potts. 

102  William  C.  Potts,  b.  Ocft.  i,  1S65. 

103  Robert  M.  Potts,  b.  July  16,  1867. 

104  Margaret  C.  Potts,  b.  October  30,  1869. 

105  Florence  E.  Potts,  b.  April  15,  1871. 

106  Clara  M.  Potts,    b.  September  12,  1872. 

51  George  W.  Potts,*  (William,*  James,'  John,' 
James,'),  son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Potts, 
was  born  Jan. — ,  18 18.  He  first  removed  to  Sumner  Coun- 
ty, Tennessee,  where  he  married  Phebe  Anderson  in  1856, 
He  next  removed  to  Jer.seyville,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to 
Nebraska. 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.  387 

Children  ok  Georgu  W.  and  Phebe  (Anderson)  Potts. 
X07     Frances  Polts,  b.  1861.  109     George  W.  Potts,   b.  1870. 

108     Sarah  Potts,  b.  1868.  no     Ruth  Potts,  b.  1873. 


59  John  M.  Potts, M  Robert,*  William, 3  John, 2  James, >), 
sonof  Robert  and  Jane  (Witherspoon)  Potts,  was  born,  1814. 
He  married  Em.  Begaly.     Occupation,  farmer. 

Children  of  John  M.  and  Em.  (Bkgai,y)  Potts. 
Ill     Hiram  Potts.  112     Charles  Potts. 

64  Charles  Stanhope  Potts, ^  (Robert,*  Robert,'  John,* 
James,'),  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  R.  (Gillespie)  Potts, 
was  born  Dec.  29,  18 19.  He  lived  not  far  from  Davidson 
College.  He  married  and  raised  a  family.  His  sons  are 
said  to  have  removed  to  Ringgold,  Georgia. 

Children  of  Charles  S.  and ( )  Potts. 

113  Eunice  Potts.  116     Robert  Potts. 

114  Sidney  Potts.  117     Houston  Potts. 

115  Margaret  Potts,  m.  Osborne. 

67  Thomas  Espy  Potts, »  (Robert,*  Robert''  John,* 
James,'),  sou  of  Robert  and  Nancy  R.  (Gillespie)  Potts, 
was  born  Sept.  18,  1829.     He  married White. 

Children  of  Thomas  Espy  and (White)  Potts. 

118  Pritchard  Potts.  120    James  Potts. 

119  William  Potts.  121     Libbie  Potts. 

71  Alfred  Potts,'  (Jonathan,*  Robert,' Johu,^  James,'), 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Cynthia  (Bryson)  Potts  married 

Children  of  Alfred  and ( )  Potts. 

122  John  Potts,  m.  Elizabeth  Stanley. 

123  Thomas  Davidson  Potts,  m.  Abercrombie. 

124  Mary  Potts,  m.  Rev.  William  Perry. 

125  David  Potts,  m.  126     William  Edward  Potts. 


388  The  Points  Family  in  America. 

78  James  Monroe  Potts, =  (William  O.,*  James,'  Wil- 
liam,* James,'),  son  of  William  G.  and  Rebecca  (Torrence) 
Potts,  was  born  Dec,  11,  1839.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lived 
about  four  miles  above  Davidson  ColUege,  within  the  limits 
of  Iredell  County.  He  was  Captain  of  Co.  C,  27th  Reg.  of 
N.  C,  in  the  Confederate  Army.  He  married,  first,  Nan- 
nie C.  Torrence,  daughter  of  A.  H.  Torrence,  Aug.  12,  1862. 
He  married,  2d,  Lottie  h.  Colby.     He  died  Sept.  21,  1869. 

Children  of  James  Monroe  and  Nannie  C.  (Torrence)  PoTrs. 

127     Nannie  R.  Potts,  b.  Oct.  24,  1863,  d.  August  12,  1S95. 
12S     William  A.  Potts,  b.  Jan.  3,  1866;  ni.  I/acy  S.  Thompson. 

Chied  of  James  jNI.  and  Lottie  L,.  (Colby)  Potts. 

129  James  M.  Potts,  b.  OcSlober  18,  1S66, 

79  Lawson  A.  Potts/  ( William  G.,^  James,*  William,''' 
James,'),  son  of  William  G.  and  Rebecca  C.  (Torrence) 
Potts,  was  born  Augu.st  14,  1841.  He  married  Kmma  A. 
Johnston,  daughter  of  Houston  and  Catharine  John.ston, 
Dec.  20,  1865.  He  was  a  Captain  in  the  27th  Reg't,  N. 
C,  in  the  Civil  War.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
lived  about  fotir  miles  from  Davidson  College.  In  1S84,  he 
was  elecled  sherilT  of  Mecklenburg  Cotnity,  and  removed 
to  Charlotte,  the  County  Seat.     He  died  May  3,  1886. 

Children  of  Lawson.A..  .\nd  Emma  A.  (Johnston)  Potts. 

130  Ella  Potts,  b.  061.  9,  1866;  d.  Nov.  2,  1867. 

131  Kate  M.  Potts,  1).  June  30,  iSbS. 

132  Mary  Lee  Potts,   b.  Dec.  13,  1869. 

133  Emma  J.  Potts,  b.  Nov.  9,  1871. 

134  William  G.  Potts,  b.  May  31,  1873. 

135  Julia  J.  Pptts,  b,  June  2,  1875. 

136  PvUgenia  H.  Potts,  b.  June  5,  1S77. 

137  Rebecca  T.  Potts,  b.  July  6,  1879. 

138  Houston  J.  Potts,  b.  March  18,  1S81;  d.  May  15,  1881. 

139  M.  Lorena  Potts,  b,  Nov.  ir,  18S2. 

140  Lottie  A.  Potts,  b.  March  2,  1SS5;  d.  Nov.  16,  18S6. 

83     William  H.  Potts,'  (William  G.,*  James,' William,* 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.     389 

James,'),  son  of  William  G.  and  Rebecca  C.  (Torrence) 
Potts,  was  born  August  10,  1839.  He  married  Annie  Cald- 
well, daug^hter  of  Thomas  and  Sallie  Caldwell,  of  Iredell 
County.      Residence,   Cowans  Ford,   Mecklenburg  County. 

Chii.dren  of  \Vir,ijAM  H.  AND  Annie  (  Caldwell )  Potts. 

141  Lucy  G.  Potts.         144     Clarence  Potts.  147     Ella  Potts. 

142  John  Potts.  145     William  Potts.  148    vSarah  Potts. 

143  Thomas  Potts.  146     Van  Potts. 


gi  William  Anderson  Potts, ^  (James  A.,*  William,* 
James, ^  John,^  James,*),  son  of  James  A.  and  Jane  (Ander- 
son) Potts,  was  born  0(ft.  10,  1833,  in  Tennessee.  Remar- 
ried Sarah  Jane  Ivcmmon,  April  2,  1857.  He  was  a  farmer, 
and  settled  near  Morrisonville,  Christian  County,  Illinois. 
He  died  November  i,  1889. 

Chii.uren  of  \Vh,i.iam  a.  and  Sarah  J.  (Lemmon) Potts, 

149  William  A.  Potts,  b.  Dec.  i,  1S64;  deceased. 

150  Sidney  K.  Potts,   b.  January  20,  1S67;  deceased. 

151  Henry  L.  Potts,   b.  June  14,  1870;  deceased. 

152  Charles  Voorhees  Potts,  b.  June  15,  1872. 

92  Thomas  Franklin  Potts,"  (James  A.,*  William,* 
James,' John, ^  James,'),  son  of  James  A.  and  Jane  A.  (An- 
derson) Potts,  was  born  February  17,  1836.  He  married 
Elizabeth  C.  Stryker,  daughter  of  William  C.  and  Phebe 
Ann  (Voorhees)  Stryker,  Jan.  18,  i860.  She  w^as  born  May 
25,  1841.  Occupation,  farmer.  Residence,  near  Morrison- 
ville, Christian  County,  Illinois.  He  has  held  the  offices  of 
Township  Supervisor,  School  Director,  Jiistice  of  the  Peace, 
and  Member  of  the  County  Court.  He  has  long  been  a 
Ruling  Elder  and  a  Trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Children  of  Thomas  F.  and  Eltz.\beth  C.  (Stryker)  Potts. 

153  James  Anderson  Potts,   b.  Aug.  14,  1S61;  m.  Josephine  M.Kidder. 

154  William  Stryker  Potts,  b.  Nov.  30,  1864;  i"-  Peachie  L,.  Harrison. 

155  Franklin  Voorhees  Potts,  b.  Aug.  13,  1870;  Mildred  Pickard. 

156  Elizabeth  Cornelia  Potts,  b.  February  15,  1874. 


390  The  Potts  Family  in  America. 

'57     J^'li"  Beekman  Potts,   b.  July  14,  1876. 

158  aiary  Bergen  Potts,   b.  06lober  11,  1885. 

99  Robert  Maben  Potts,*  (Robert  Maben,'^  William,* 
James,' John,' James,')  son  of  Robert  M.  and  Clarissa  E. 
(  Hart)  Potts,  was  born  at  Hartsville,  Tennessee,  Oct.  10, 
1847  He  married  Bettie  King,  May  26,  1880.  In  1872,  he 
was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  his  native  Coun- 
ty, and  was  subsequently  re-elected  several  times.  He  is 
an  officer  in  the  Hartsville  Bank.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  and  also  of  the  Knights  of  Honor. 

Chii<dren  of  Robert  M.  and  Bhttie  (King)  Potts. 

159  Robert  M.  Potts,  b.  18S4.  160     Mary  Potts. 


153  James  Anderson  Potts/  (Thomas  F.,"  James  A.,' 
William,*  James.'  John,^  James,*),  son  of  Thomas  F.  and 
Elizabeth  C.  (Stryker)  Potts,  was  born  August  14,  1S61. 
He  married  Josephine  M.  Kidder,  daughter  of  F.  A.  and 
Ardelia  J.  (Potter)  Kidder,  Sept.  4,  1882.  He  is  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  and  resides  in  Hanover  County,  Virginia. 

Children  ok  James  A.  and  Josephine  M.  (Kidder)  Potts. 

161  George  Kidder  Potts,  b.  Sept.  4,  1883. 

162  Kate  Nevins  Potts,  b.  Jan.  27,  1886. 

163  Helen  Ardelia  Potts,  b.  Ocl.  17,  1889. 

164  Virginia  Josephine  Potts,   b.  June  3,  1894. 

154  William  Stryker  Potts, ^  (Thomas  F.,^  James  A.,* 
William,*  James,' John, ^  James,'},  son  of  Thomas  F.  and 
F:iizabethC.  (Stryker)  Potts,  was  born  Nov.  30,  1868.  He 
married  Peachie  Lee  Harrison,  daughter  of  S.  B.  and  Ada 
(Foreman)  Harri.son,  Ocl.  11,  1893.  She  was  born.  May 
16,  1870.     Residence,  Pawnee  City,  Nebraska. 

Children  ok  William  S.  .a-nd  Elizabeth  C.  (Harrison)  Potts. 

165  Ada  Elizabeth  Potts,   b.  May  8,  1S96. 

166  Edna  Margaret  Potts,  b.  Odlober  i,  189S. 


The  Potts'  of  Mrcklenburg  County,  N.  C.     391 

The  following  table  gives  a  fair  showing  of  five  genera- 
tions of  this  family.  The  figures  in  the  last  column  are 
the  individual  numbers  used  in  the  text. 

A  Pedigree  of  the  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County. 


-James  -  Sarah  Tiuon- 


-Marcraret  Potts 


-William  ^Marfjaret 
[McKeown- 


-Henry  — Margaret 

[Heury- 


-Robert  Potts 


-Wiliiam=Marfraret 

[Anderson  — 

-Ann — Ephraim  Shurrell 

-Sarah=Thomas  Henry 


-Robert = Jane  Wither- 

[spoon— 

-Benjaniin=Mar.g;aret 

[Witherspoon 

-Absalom  Potts 

-David  =  Martha  Brady 
-Elizabeth  Jane -Isaac 

[Witherspoon 
-Cynthia  =  Wm.  Fortune 


-Robert=EHzabeth       |-Robert^N.  R.  Gillespie- 
[McKeown- 


-Jonathan=Cynthia  Bry- 
[son- 

-James  Potts 

-John  Potts 

-Ephraim  Potts 

-Edwin  Potts 

-Ann  Potts 

-Eliza  Potts 


-Mary  Potts 
■James— Mary  A. 
-William  Potts 


-MarvA.  =JohnPatterson 
-Lydia  L.  Potts 
-Betsey^Wm.  Patterson 
-William  G.  =  Rebecca 

[Torrence — 


-Henderson  Potts 
-Wilson  Potts 
-Lawson  Potts 
-John  Potts 
-Sarah  Potts 
-Nicely  Potts 
-Eraeline  Potts 

-Elizabeth  M.  Potts 
-James  A.  Potts 
-Robert  M.  Potts 
-Franklin  Potts 
-Sidney  A.  Potts 
-Thomas  E.  Potts 
-Sarah  T.  Potts 
-William  C.  Potts 
-George  W.  Potts 

-Elizabeth  Potts 
-Delilah  Potts 
-Melissa  Potts 
-Jane  Potts 
-Cynthia  Potts 
-ilcKeown  A.  Potts 
-Caroline  Potts 
-John  M.  Potts 

-James  A.  G.  Potts 
-Ephraim  Potts 
-Zebulon  M.  Potts 
-Esther  E.  Potts 
-Charles  S.  Potts 
-Nancy  Potts 
-Julius  R.  Potts 
-Thomas  E.  Potts 
-William  W.  Potts 

-Harriet  Potts 
-Clementine  Potts 
-Alfred  Potts 
-Caroline  Potts 
-Jean  Potts 
-Mary  L.  Potts 
-Henry  Potts 
-Martha  Potts 
-John  Potts 

-James  M.  Potts 
-Lawson  A.  Potts 
-Sidney  X.  Potts 
-Mary  Ann  Potts 
-Catharine  J.  Potts 
-William  H.  Potts 
-John  M.  Potts 
-Elizabeth  A.  Potts 
-Francis  A.  Potts 
-Rebecca  L.  Potts 
-Annie  Bona  Potts 
-Maggie  G.  Potts 
-Beauregard  Potts 


52 
53 
54 
5S 
56 
57 
58 
59 

60 
61 
62 
6-, 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 

69 
70 
71 
72 

73 
74 
75 
76 
77 


90 


392  The  Potts  Family  in  Amkrica. 


Supplementary  Records. 


Beside  the  foregoing,  there  were  at  least  two  heads  of 
families  in  Mecklenburg  Countj^ — John  Potts  and  James 
Potts — who  were  undoubtedly  descendants  of  James  Potts, 
but  the  conne(5lion  is  not  clear  to  the  compiler.  They  may 
have  been  children  of  James  Potts,  Jr.,  (No.  4).  The  fol- 
lowing account  of  John  Potts  and  his  descendants  is  found- 
ed, mainly,  upon  information  furnished  by  the  late  John 
Grier  Potts,  of  Pineville,  North  Carolina. 

1  John  Potts,  settled  on  a  plantation  on  Six-Mile  Run, 
then  in  Mecklenburg  County,  but  now  included  within  the 
limits  of  Union  County.  This  land  is  still  owned  and  occu- 
pied b}'  descendants.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Hanging  Rock, 
in  South  Carolina.  He  married  Nancy  Houston,  who  is 
.said  to  have  been  ten  years  of  age  when  her  parents  emi- 
grated from  Ireland.  The  will  of  Agnes  Potts,  dated  1830, 
is  on  record  in  Alecklenburg  County.  Whether  she  was 
identical  with  Nancy  Houston,  or  was  a  second  wife  of 
John  Potts,  is  not  clear  in  the  light  of  present  information. 
In  the  will  she  mentions  each  of  her  eight  children. 

Children  of  John  and ( )  Pom's. 

2  William  Potts,  b.  Sep.  10,  178S;  d.  June  22,  1S56;  m.  ist,  Levica 

Crockett;  2d,  Mrs.  Blender  Dunn;  3d,  Mrs.  PUizabeth  Wrenn; 
4th,  Rebecca  Daniels. 

3  Jane  Potts,  m. McCullough. 

4  Gracie  Potts,  m.  Crockett. 

5  Margaret  Potts,  m.  James  Robinson.     Children,  William,  James. 

6  Susan  Potts,  m.  Stitt. 

7  Elizabeth  Potts,  m.  John  Houston.     Children,  Margaret,  Hugh. 

8  Mary  Potts,  m.  Robinson. 

9  Nancy  Potts,  m.  James  Gordon. 


l^EVICA     1 'OTTSS-MfllAVAIN. 
PAGE  303.      No.    13. 


The  Potts'  of  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C.     393 

2     William  Potts,'  (john,0  son  of  John  and ( ) 

Potts,  was  born  Sep.  10,  178S.  His  father's  farm  descend- 
ed to  him,  and  he  spent  his  life  upon  it.  He  acquired  con- 
siderable wealth.  He  married,  first,  Levica  Crockett;  sec- 
ond, Mrs.  Blender  Dunn  ;  third,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wrenn  ; 
and  fourth,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Daniels,  who  survived  him.  He 
died  June  22,  1856.  His  will  is  said  to  be  on  record  in  Un- 
ion County. 

Children  of  \Vir,i,rAM  and  Levica  (Crockett)  Potts. 

10  John  McKnight  Potts,    b.   1810;   d.  March  — ,  1875;   m.  Martha 

Isabella  Grier. 

11  Robert  Crockett  Potts,  m,  ist,  Ann ;  2d,  Louisa . 

12  Nancy  Potts,  m.  Allen  Morrow.     Son,  J.  M. 

13  Levica  Potts,  b.  ;  d.  1S94;  m.   ist,  Jefferson  Miller.      No  is- 

sue. Md.,  2d,  Dr.  William  Mcllwain.  Children,  i  Charles 
Cincinnatus,  2  William  Erskine,  3  Jefferson,  4  John  Alexan- 
der, 5  Mary  Lavinia,  6  Robert  James,   7  Margaret  Jane. 

14  Isaac  Potts. 

15  Jane  Potts. 

16  WiUiam  Potts. 

Child  of  William  and  Elizabeth  ( )  Potts. 

17  William  Marcellus  Potts,    b.  Nov.  2,  1844;   killed  June  21,  1863. 

in  the  Civil  War. 


10  John  McKnight  Potts, ^  (William,*  John, ^),  son  of 
William  and  Levica  (Crockett)  Potts,  was  born,  18 10,  in 
Providence  Secftion,  Mecklenburg  County.  After  attaining 
his  majority,  he  spent  some  time  in  the  west,  but  returned 
to  Mecklenburg  County,  and  settled  on  Still  Creek,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  married  Miss  Martha  Isabella  Grier. 
He  was  a  person  of  fine  presence  and  a  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability.  He  was  successively  eledled  Captain,  Ma- 
jor and  Colonel  in  the  State  Militia  before  the  Civil  War, 
and  was  commonly  known  as  "  Major  Potts."  He  was  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  thirty  years,  and  Associate  Judge 
for  a  considerable  time.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture in  i860  and  '61,  He  accumulated  a  considerable  for- 
50 


394  '^HE  Potts  Family  in  America. 

tune,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  farmers  and  tax-payers  in 
the  County.     He  died  March,  1875, 

CHii,ROE>f  OF  John  McK.  ant>  Martha  I.  (Grier)  Potts. 

18  John  Grier  Potls,  b.  1842;  d.  ;  m.  Margaret  Rodnda  Ardry, 

19  James  Walter  Potts,  man-Jed  and  raised  a  family. 

20  William  Pinckney  Potts-. 

21  Levica  Jane  Potts. 

22  Dorcas  Lucinda  Potts. 


II  Robert  Crockett  Potts,'  (William,*  John, »),  son  of 
William  and  Levica  (Crockett)  Potts,  married,  first,  Ann, 
widow  of  William  Potts,  (See  page  396).  He  married,  sec- 
ond, Loitisa .     She  died  July,  1S99, 

Chii^dken  of  Robert  C.  ano  Ann  ( )  Potts. 

23  William  Thomas  Potts-. 

24  Margaret  lilizabeth  Potts,  m.  J.  M.  Morrow. 


18  John  Grier  Potts,<  (John  McK.,' William, ^  John, '), 
sou  of  John  McKnight  and  Martha  Isabella  (Grier)  Potts, 
was  born,  1842.  He  married  Margaret  Rocinda  Ardry,  in 
1864.  She  was  the  datighter  of  Dr.  William  A.  and  Lydia 
(P